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Anthony Peterson has his sights set on Teofimo Lopez
After coming off a sixth-round knockout of Saul Corral (23-19, 13 KOs), a bout that took place in his hometown of Washington D.C. on May 28, 2022, super lightweight Anthony Peterson (
“I’m looking to take one more fight to settle in, after that I’m going big game hunting and I have Teofimo Lopez on my scope,” said Peterson. “This was the best I’ve ever felt going into a fight in my entire career, and I want to credit my team for having things run so smoothly. I am looking at all the big names in the super lightweight division and I see Lopez as the perfect person to fight. It would be an honor to grace the ring with him. I’m seeking a fight that defines my career, and Lopez, a former world champion, is at the top of my list.”
“Freeway” Rick Ross, who has taken on the role of an advisor for Peterson, said the following: “This is a good win for him, but nothing he should be too excited about. We’re interested in getting a big fight because Anthony is a big talent. Teófimo López is a great fighter and I know Anthony will give the fans an explosive fight with him. We want all the top fighters at super lightweight.”
For his recent training camp, Peterson had a full-time strength and conditioning coach as well as his brother, Lamont Peterson working as his coach. The result produced a sensational knockout.
“This was my first knockout in seven years, which speaks to the level of training and preparation I had for this fight and the professionalism of my team as well as where I am at mentally,” continued Peterson. “I feel like I’m 28 years old, my body is rejuvenated. I have a great team who wants what is best for me. I have complete trust in what they think is best for my career.”
Eagles’ Sirianni: ‘Jalen(Hurts) is, in my opinion, more comfortable in the offense’
This is a big season for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts as he is looking to prove that he can be the franchise quarterback for the team.
As he enters his third season in the league and his second in Nick Sirianni’s offense, the Eagles hope Hurts can elevate his game and his team.
According to Sirianni, Hurts, who led the Eagles to the playoffs after throwing for 3144 yards and 16 touchdowns to go along with 749 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in 2021, has looked very comfortable in the offense.
“Jalen is, in my opinion, more comfortable in the offense, right,” Sirianni said Wednesday as the team continued voluntary OTAs. “That’s just the part of the process, the second year. He knows where the receivers are going to be versus different looks. He knows where to go with the football a little bit quicker.
“We’ve done our job as coaches, and I don’t want to say we’ve done a good job, but what we’ve done as coaches is figured out what he likes and what he’s good at and all these different things. It’s just accumulating those reps.
“Like we talked about, I think you guys asked me that last year, was some of these quarterbacks that have been played for so long, they’re in year 15, 16, 17, they’re getting better at reading it, why, because they’ve seen the play over and over and over again. That’s the same progression Jalen has.”
Sirianni is confident that Hurts has the character to improve and become a better player.
‘The reason we know Jalen is going to continue to get better is because of the character, and the football character and the personal character that he has,” Sirianni said. “He’s just the type of guy that’s going to reach his maximum potential because of all the off-the-field qualities he has. I’ve also noticed just the crispness of the drop. It’s been the fundamentals — his fundamentals have improved, and he’s really worked hard at that.
“He’s working every day to get better, and I’m really pleased where he is right now, but we have to continue to lay the groundwork. That he went 11 of 12 yesterday in 7-on-7 means nothing. He has to continue to get better and better and better. I don’t know; you guys would have a better feel what he was today. I didn’t keep track. I’ll go watch it when I’m done with you guys, but I thought he had a pretty good day today, too.
“But really what I noticed is he’s really seeing where to go with the football and going there quick.”
On paper, the Eagles have the talent to be an improved team next season, but for that to happen, Hurts, who was solid last season, has to be better.
Garcia-Benavidez, Kownacki-Demirezen set for July 30 in Brooklyn
Two-division world champion and Brooklyn fan-favorite Danny “Swift” Garcia will make his super welterweight debut against exciting contender Jose Benavidez Jr. in a 12-round showdown that headlines a stacked tripleheader Saturday, July 30 live on SHOWTIME from Barclays Center in Brooklyn in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will also see Polish star and Brooklyn’s all-action Adam Kownacki returning to the ring to take on Turkish Olympian Ali Eren Demirezen in a 10-round heavyweight attraction, while unbeaten rising star Gary Antuanne Russell faces two-division champion Rances Barthelemy in a 10-round showdown to kick off the telecast.
A world champion at 140 and 147 pounds, Garcia (36-3, 21 KOs) owns one of the sports’ most impressive resumes as he now seeks to add a 154-pound title to his list of accomplishments. He returns to fight at Barclays Center for the ninth time, where he headlined the first ever boxing show at the arena in 2012 in his SHOWTIME debut. The Philadelphia native’s run through the super lightweight division saw him defeat a string of champions including Erik Morales, Amir Khan, Zab Judah, Lucas Matthysse, Nate Campbell and Kendall Holt. As a welterweight, the 34-year-old added triumphs over Lamont Peterson, Paulie Malignaggi, and Robert Guerrero, defeating Guerrero for a vacant title in 2016. Garcia’s campaign at welterweight included narrow defeats to some of the sport’s most talented and rugged fighters –Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter, and unbeaten unified champion Errol Spence Jr.
“I feel blessed,” said Garcia. “I’m back like I never left. I can’t wait to return to the ring in front of the fans at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, who have always supported me, and for all my fans across the country watching on SHOWTIME. The ‘Danny Garcia Show’ returns July 30 and you don’t want to miss it!”
The 30-year-old Benavídez (27-1-1, 18 KOs) is the older brother of unbeaten two-time world champion David Benavídez and is trained by his father Jose Sr. A long-established contender, Benavídez moved up to super welterweight in his last fight after dropping a 147-pound title showdown to Terence Crawford in October 2018. Benavídez fought Francisco Emanuel Torres to a draw last November, his first action in just over three years. The Phoenix-native had previously earned wins over contenders such as Mauricio Herrera, Francisco Santana and Frank Rojas on his way to that world title opportunity against Crawford.
“This is a Mexico vs. Puerto Rico matchup and both of us have something to prove,” said Benavídez. “It’s going to be a great fight for the fans. I feel strong and I know I will end this one on fight night. I’m bigger and stronger than he is and come July 30, he will see the difference in power between us.”
The 33-year-old Kownacki (20-2, 15 KOs) returns to the friendly confines of Barclays Center where he has previously fought 10 times, compiling a 9-1 record with five knockouts. Born in Lomza, Poland before moving to Brooklyn when he was seven, Kownacki will step back into the ring after dropping a pair of explosive, fan-friendly fights to Robert Helenius. He owns victories over former world champion Charles Martin and former title challengers Gerald Washington and Chris Arreola. His August 2019 battle against Arreola set CompuBox records for heavyweights in combined power punches thrown and landed.
“I’m very excited to be back in the ring, especially back home in Brooklyn at Barclays Center,” said Kownacki. “I’m ready to show the world that Robert Helenius just caught me at a complicated time in my life, where juggling being a new father and a fighter was a new experience and learning how to manage both was something I needed to learn how to do. For this fight, my family went away to Poland while I’m in camp so I could only focus on boxing. It was a difficult decision to make, but the right one. Demirezen is coming off a couple big wins, so I know he will bring his ‘A’ game, but I need to beat him to be back in the heavyweight mix. Our fight on July 30 will be action-packed with my hand being raised in victory.”
A 2016 Olympian for Turkey, Demirezen (16-1, 12 KOs) has fought out of Hamburg, Germany in the professional ranks since turning pro in late 2016. The 32-year-old won his first 11 pro fights, including a second-round stoppage of Rad Rashid to capture a European heavyweight title in 2018. Demirezen’s first U.S. outing came in 2019, when he became the first person to go the distance against Efe Ajagba, losing by decision. Since that defeat, Demirezen has scored five-straight victories, including defeating former title challengers Gerald Washington in January and Kevin Johnson in May.
“I’m very happy to fight in the U.S. again on July 30,” said Demirezen. “After my big win in Miami [in January], I’m very confident I’m going to give everyone a great fight in Brooklyn. I’m ready for anything Adam Kownacki brings to the ring and I want to make a big statement with a win over him.”
A native of Capitol Heights, Md., Russell (15-0, 15 KOs) will be continuing on the legacy left by his late father Gary Sr., as he belongs to one of the sport’s preeminent fighting families and trains alongside his older brothers, former WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Jr. and bantamweight contender Gary Antonio. The 25-year-old Russell has yet to allow an opponent to make it to the final bell since turning pro in 2017 following his run representing the U.S. at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. Most recently, Russell added the most impressive professional victory of his career thus far, as he became the first person to stop former champion Viktor Postol in their February clash on SHOWTIME.
When asked about his fight against Barthelemy, Russell cryptically said, “Deforestation is just a phase that shows there’s more space for growth and conquer,’’ and then stated that he would explain what he means after winning this fight.
A native of Havana, Cuba now fighting out of Las Vegas, Barthelemy (29-1-1, 15 KOs) added two victories in 2021, winning a unanimous decision over All Rivera in January before stopping Gustavo David Vittori in two rounds in November. A world champion at 130 and 135 pounds, Barthelemy owns notable victories over Argenis Mendez, Antonio DeMarco, Mickey Bey and Denis Shafikov. His only professional loss came in a 2018 140-pound championship rematch against Kiryl Relikh, with the only other blemish on his record coming via a draw versus former champion Robert Easter Jr. in 2019. Barthelemy also comes from a fighting family, as he is the middle brother between the younger Leduan and the older Yan, who won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics.
“I’m thrilled to be competing on SHOWTIME, especially against an undefeated young lion like Gary Antuanne Russell,” said Barthelemy. “He’s knocked out every opponent he’s faced, but he’s going to find out real quick that I’m on another level. I’m more determined than ever to take this young kid to school. Don’t be surprised if I take him out, as I’ve been working on my power and explosiveness. The new and improved version of myself will be on display July 30 in Brooklyn.”
Chisora-Pulev II set for July 9 in London
Derek Chisora and Kubrat Pulev will meet for a second time at The O2 in London on Saturday July 9, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding Australia, New Zealand and France), over six years on from their 12-round battle for the European Heavyweight Title at the Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany.
It was Bulgarian star Pulev (29-2, 14 KOs) who came out on top on that occasion, winning a tough split decision that saw him progress in their IBF World Title Eliminator and claim the vacant European crown for the second time in his career.
British favourite Chisora (32-12, 23 KOs) has since faced some of the biggest names in the Heavyweight division, including WBC World Title challenger Dillian Whyte twice, WBA and IBF World Title challenger Carlos Takam, unified Heavyweight World Champion Oleksandr Usyk and most recently two slugfests with former WBO Champion Joseph Parker.
Two-time World Title challenger Pulev, who’s only losses came against modern legend Wladimir Klitscho in 2014 and former unified king Anthony Joshua in 2020, dominated Jerry Forrest to win a unanimous decision on the Sergey Kovalev vs. Tervel Pulev undercard at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California last month.
“I’m delighted to get this fight over the line,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Initially we worked on some other opponents for Derek, but this fight came out of nowhere a few days ago and I absolutely love it! I think the strapline, ‘Total Carnage’, is absolutely perfect for this fight, in terms of the build-up and in terms of the fight itself. Expect the unexpected but expect a thriller at The O2 on July 9. Both men have been longstanding fixtures of the World Heavyweight division and it’s all or nothing at The O2 for both, as defeat could lead to the end of the road. Fans can expect a huge undercard and a brilliant main event for another brilliant event live on DAZN.”
NFL announces complete preseason schedule for all 32 teams
On Tuesday, the NFL the complete 2022 preseason schedule, which begins August 4 in Canton, Ohio for the NFL/Hall of Fame Game.
NFL/HALL OF FAME GAME – AUGUST 4
Jacksonville vs. Las Vegas (NBC)
WEEK 1
Thursday, August 11
N.Y. Giants at New England, 7:00
Tennessee at Baltimore, 7:30
Friday, August 12
Atlanta at Detroit, 6:00
Cleveland at Jacksonville, 7:00
Arizona at Cincinnati, 7:30
N.Y. Jets at Philadelphia, 7:30
Green Bay at San Francisco, 8:30
Saturday, August 13
Kansas City at Chicago, 1:00
Carolina at Washington, 1:00
Indianapolis at Buffalo, 4:00
Seattle at Pittsburgh, 7:00
Miami at Tampa Bay, 7:30
New Orleans at Houston, 8:00
Dallas at Denver, 9:00
L.A. Rams at L.A. Chargers, 10:00
Sunday, August 14
Minnesota at Las Vegas, 4:25
WEEK 2
Thursday, August 18
Chicago at Seattle (ESPN), 8:00
Friday, August 19
Carolina at New England, 7:00
New Orleans at Green Bay, 8:00
Houston at L.A. Rams, 10:00
Saturday, August 20
Denver at Buffalo, 1:00
Detroit at Indianapolis, 1:00
Washington at Kansas City, 4:00
Pittsburgh at Jacksonville, 7:00
Las Vegas at Miami, 7:00
San Francisco at Minnesota, 7:00
Tampa Bay at Tennessee, 7:00
Dallas at L.A. Chargers, 10:00
Sunday, August 21
Philadelphia at Cleveland, 1:00
Cincinnati at N.Y. Giants, 7:00
Baltimore at Arizona (FOX), 8:00
Monday, August 22
Atlanta at N.Y. Jets (ESPN), 8:00
WEEK 3
Thursday, August 25
Green Bay at Kansas City, 8:00
San Francisco at Houston (Prime Video), 8:15
Friday, August 26
Buffalo at Carolina, 7:00
Seattle at Dallas, 8:00
L.A. Chargers at New Orleans, 8:00
New England at Las Vegas, 8:15
Saturday, August 27
Jacksonville at Atlanta, 3:00
L.A. Rams at Cincinnati, 6:00
Washington at Baltimore, 7:00
Chicago at Cleveland, 7:00
Philadelphia at Miami, 7:00
Arizona at Tennessee, 7:00
Tampa Bay at Indianapolis, 7:30
Minnesota at Denver, 9:00
Sunday, August 28
N.Y. Giants at N.Y. Jets, 1:00
Detroit at Pittsburgh (CBS), 4:30
2022 PRESEASON TEAM-BY-TEAM SCHEDULE
(All times Eastern/PM)
AFC |
|||
Buffalo |
Miami |
New England |
N.Y. Jets |
8/13 Indianapolis, 4:00 |
8/13 at Tampa Bay, 7:30 |
8/11 N.Y. Giants, 7:00 |
8/12 at Philadelphia, 7:30 |
8/20 Denver, 1:00 |
8/20 Las Vegas, 7:00 |
8/19 Carolina, 7:00 |
8/22 Atlanta, 8:00 |
8/26 at Carolina, 7:00 |
8/27 Philadelphia, 7:00 |
8/26 at Las Vegas, 8:15 |
8/28 N.Y. Giants, 1:00 |
Baltimore |
Cincinnati |
Cleveland |
Pittsburgh |
8/11 Tennessee, 7:30 |
8/12 Arizona, 7:30 |
8/12 at Jacksonville, 7:00 |
8/13 Seattle, 7:00 |
8/21 at Arizona, 8:00 |
8/21 at N.Y. Giants, 7:00 |
8/21 Philadelphia, 1:00 |
8/20 at Jacksonville, 7:00 |
8/27 Washington, 7:00 |
8/27 L.A. Rams, 6:00 |
8/27 Chicago, 7:00 |
8/28 Detroit, 4:30 |
Houston |
Indianapolis |
Jacksonville |
Tennessee |
8/13 New Orleans, 8:00 |
8/13 at Buffalo, 4:00 |
8/4 vs. Las Vegas*, 8:00 |
8/11 at Baltimore, 7:30 |
8/19 at L.A. Rams, 10:00 |
8/20 Detroit, 1:00 |
8/12 Cleveland, 7:00 |
8/20 Tampa Bay, 7:00 |
8/25 San Francisco, 8:15 |
8/27 Tampa Bay, 7:30 |
8/20 Pittsburgh, 7:00 |
8/27 Arizona, 7:00 |
8/27 at Atlanta, 3:00 |
|||
Denver |
Kansas City |
Las Vegas |
L.A. Chargers |
8/13 Dallas, 9:00 |
8/13 at Chicago, 1:00 |
8/4 vs. Jacksonville*, 8:00 |
8/13 L.A. Rams, 10:00 |
8/20 at Buffalo, 1:00 |
8/20 Washington, 4:00 |
8/14 Minnesota, 4:25 |
8/20 Dallas, 10:00 |
8/27 Minnesota, 9:00 |
8/25 Green Bay, 8:00 |
8/20 at Miami, 7:00 |
8/26 at New Orleans, 8:00 |
8/26 New England, 8:15 |
|||
|
|||
Dallas |
N.Y. Giants |
Philadelphia |
Washington |
8/13 at Denver, 9:00 |
8/11 at New England, 7:00 |
8/12 N.Y. Jets, 7:30 |
8/13 Carolina, 1:00 |
8/20 at L.A. Chargers, 10:00 |
8/21 Cincinnati, 7:00 |
8/21 at Cleveland, 1:00 |
8/20 at Kansas City, 4:00 |
8/26 Seattle, 8:00 |
8/28 at N.Y. Jets, 1:00 |
8/27 at Miami, 7:00 |
8/27 at Baltimore, 7:00 |
Chicago |
Detroit |
Green Bay |
Minnesota |
8/13 Kansas City, 1:00 |
8/12 Atlanta, 6:00 |
8/12 at San Francisco, 8:30 |
8/14 at Las Vegas, 4:25 |
8/18 at Seattle, 8:00 |
8/20 at Indianapolis, 1:00 |
8/19 New Orleans, 8:00 |
8/20 San Francisco, 7:00 |
8/27 at Cleveland, 7:00 |
8/28 at Pittsburgh, 4:30 |
8/25 at Kansas City, 8:00 |
8/27 at Denver, 9:00 |
Atlanta |
Carolina |
New Orleans |
Tampa Bay |
8/12 at Detroit, 6:00 |
8/13 at Washington, 1:00 |
8/13 at Houston, 8:00 |
8/13 Miami, 7:30 |
8/22 at N.Y. Jets, 8:00 |
8/19 at New England, 7:00 |
8/19 at Green Bay, 8:00 |
8/20 at Tennessee, 7:00 |
8/27 Jacksonville, 3:00 |
8/26 Buffalo, 7:00 |
8/26 L.A. Chargers, 8:00 |
8/27 at Indianapolis, 7:30 |
Arizona |
L.A. Rams |
San Francisco |
Seattle |
8/12 at Cincinnati, 7:30 |
8/13 at L.A. Chargers, 10:00 |
8/12 Green Bay, 8:30 |
8/13 at Pittsburgh, 7:00 |
8/21 Baltimore, 8:00 |
8/19 Houston, 10:00 |
8/20 at Minnesota, 7:00 |
8/18 Chicago, 8:00 |
8/27 at Tennessee, 7:00 |
8/27 at Cincinnati, 6:00 |
8/25 at Houston, 8:15 |
8/26 at Dallas, 8:00 |
*NFL/Hall of Fame Game, Canton, Ohio |
|||
Jags’ Trevor Lawrence talks C.J. Beathard’s injury
During the Jaguars’ seventh OTA practice on Monday, backup quarterback C.J. Beathard went down and was carted off the field.
According to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Beathard injured his groin, and an MRI was pending to reveal the extent of the injury.
The six-year veteran was in line to be the backup to QB Trevor Lawrence. After practice, Lawrence discussed what he saw with Beathard’s injury.
“I didn’t. I was looking at the throw and saw him on the ground, wasn’t sure exactly if someone bumped into him if he just went the wrong way,” Lawrence said. “I don’t really know, but like I said, just hoping he’s alright, and we’ll go back and look at it on film. Maybe we’ll be able to tell a little bit more, but I didn’t see what happened.”
If Beathard is down for an extended period, the Jaguars have second-year QB Jake Luton and undrafted rookie free agent E.J. Perry.
You never like to see injuries during OTAs, so hopefully, Beathard’s injury is not too serious.
Donaire on fight with Inoue: ‘I am very fired up’
Nonito Donaire says he is “fired up” after making weight ahead of his eagerly awaited rematch with Naoya Inoue.
The 39-year-old tipped the scales at 117.8 pounds in Yokohama on Monday to comfortably come inside the bantamweight limit, while Inoue weighed in at 118 pounds.
Donaire and his Japanese rival clash at the Super Arena in Saitama tomorrow, with the WBC, WBA and IBF world titles on the line, in a fight the whole of boxing will be watching.
After squaring off with Inoue for the final time before fight night, the Filipino Flash said: “I feel good, I feel great. It is going to be an amazing night and you can look forward to seeing the best of me.
“I am very fired up and it is going to be a very exciting fight!”
Donaire rebounded from the first fight with Inoue to claim the WBC bantamweight title and set up a second showdown which promises to be more explosive than their classic encounter, nearly three years ago.
The future Hall of Fame inductee is confident of gaining revenge over the fighter known as ‘Monster’ and Donaire wants to set up an undisputed clash with WBO champion Paul Butler.
Charlo-Sulecki postponed after Charlo suffers back injury
The Jermall Charlo vs. Maciej Sulecki event, scheduled to take place Saturday, June 18 live on SHOWTIME from Toyota Center in Houston, has been postponed after Charlo suffered a back injury in training.
The card will be rescheduled to a new date that will be announced pending an assessment of when Charlo can return to training.
Haney’s dream comes true in Australia
To some, Devin “The Dream” Haney (28-0, 15 KOs) was the “email champion” after he was awarded the WBC 135-pound title in 2019 when Vasiliy Lomachencko was elevated to the Franchise champion.
However, following Sunday’s dominant 12-round unanimous decision win over George Kambosos Jr. (20-1, 10 KOs) at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, we can now call Haney the undisputed champion at 135 and the king of the division. Haney became the eighth fighter in history to capture all four major championship titles in the four-belt era and the first to do so at 135 pounds.
The Oakland native used his jab to perfection and controlled the fight throughout. It was an easy night for the 23-year-old Haney, and two judges had it 116-112, while another judge scored the fight 118-110.
