Zayas-Teixeira, Carrington-Enrique set for June 8 at MSG

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Zayas-Teixeira, Carrington-Enrique set for June 8 at MSG

Junior middleweight phenom Xander Zayas is poised to kick off Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend by facing his stiffest challenge yet.

Zayas will take on Brazilian former world champion Patrick Teixeira in a 10-round clash on Saturday, June 8 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Zayas will look to secure his 19th pro win 19 years after Top Rank initiated its parade weekend tradition when Miguel Cotto defended his junior welterweight crown against Muhammad Abdullaev.

In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, the latest fistic prodigy from Brownsville, Brooklyn, aims to extend his knockout streak against Mexico’s Jose Enrique Vivas.

Zayas-Teixeira and Carrington-Vivas will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT.

Zayas (18-0, 12 KOs) has been on the path to stardom after signing with Top Rank at 16 and debuting as a pro in October 2019. He captured his first regional title with a TKO win against Elias Espadas in August 2022 and followed up with an eight-round decision against Alexis Salazar that December. In 2023, he decisioned Ronald Cruz during Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend and stopped Roberto Valenzuela Jr. in September. The 21-year-old concluded the year in December with a scintillating fifth-round TKO against Spanish contender Jorge Fortea as the co-feature to the Robeisy Ramirez-Rafael Espinoza main event.

Zayas said, “Representing Puerto Rico on a date in which Boricua culture is celebrated and honored represents a sacred commitment that I have with my people. On June 8, I won’t just be fighting for myself. I’ll be fighting for each and every Puerto Rican who always perseveres when the going gets tough. This is my first main event and my first fight against a former world champion. And I plan on carrying my flag and making it shine on one of the world’s biggest stages, ‘The Mecca of Boxing.’”

Teixeira (34-4, 25 KOs) stunned the boxing world by upsetting Carlos Adames to capture the interim WBO junior middleweight world title in November 2019. After being elevated to full champion, the 33-year-old southpaw faced multiple setbacks, losing the title to Argentine powerhouse Brian Castaño in February 2021. In his subsequent bouts, he was controversially disqualified against Paul Valenzuela in April 2022 and suffered a decision loss against then-unbeaten Russian Magomed Kurbanov that July. Undeterred, Teixeira bounced back with a first-round knockout win against Adrian Perez in November 2022, a second-round stoppage over Carlos Rivero last August and a fourth-round TKO against Edisson Saltarin in March.

Teixeira said, “It took longer than expected, but this fight is finally here. I can’t wait to get in the ring and put the division on notice. I did it once before when I won my world title against Adames on a Top Rank show, and I’m going to do it again with one of their rising stars. Zayas is a great talent, and everyone there will be supporting him during that important weekend. But my experience will make the difference, and I’ll show that on June 8.”

Carrington (11-0, 7 KOs), a 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials champion, has rapidly ascended the ranks since turning pro in October 2021. The 27-year-old secured five victories in 2023, including a second-round TKO against former world title challenger Jason Sanchez. In his last outing, he blasted out Bernard Torres with a right hook at The Theater in February. The stoppage went viral and was a SportsCenter Top 10 highlight.

Carrington said, “Vivas should be my toughest opponent to date, but as I do every time I fight in Shu York City, I’m going to put on a crowd-pleasing performance. It’s special to fight in front of the great Puerto Rican fans. I can’t wait for June 8.”

Vivas (23-3, 12 KOs), a tenacious 29-year-old Mexican, enjoyed an undefeated 17-0 run before encountering his first pro defeat at the hands of Ruben Villa in September 2019. He bounced back with a four-fight winning spree, including a 10-round decision over then-unbeaten Carlos Jackson in July 2020 and an eight-round triumph against Louie Coria the following May. Despite a majority points loss to eventual title challenger Eduardo Baez in March 2022, Vivas rebounded with a win over Edy Valencia before losing to Joet Gonzalez last April. In February, he scored a first-round TKO against Jonathan Aguilar.

The ESPN+-streamed undercard will showcase a selection of some of the best rising talents from the East Coast.

Junior middleweight Jahi Tucker (10-1-1, 5 KOs), from Deer Park, New York, looks to respond following a string of setbacks in an eight-rounder versus Quincy LaVallais (17-4-1, 12 KOs). Tucker overcame a tough out in Nikoloz Sekhniashvili last April, dropped a decision to Nicklaus Flaz in July, and fought to a majority draw against Francisco Daniel Veron in December.

U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson (12-0, 6 KOs) will see action in an eight-rounder against once-beaten Tarik Zaina (13-1-1, 8 KOs). After going 4-0 in 2023, the Cleveland native made his 2024 debut with a first-round stoppage victory against Paulo Galdino in February.

Unbeaten welterweight Elijah Flores (8-0, 3 KOs) will lock horns against Derrick Whitley Jr. (7-4-1) in a six-rounder. Flores, a Bronx native, returns following a fourth-round TKO against Alejandro Munera in March.

Junior lightweight prospect Ofacio Falcon (10-0, 6 KOs) heads to The Theater for a third time to take on Antonio Dunton El Jr. (5-2-2, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder. Falcon, also a Bronx native, decisioned Edward Ceballos in February.

Team USA heavyweight hopeful Ali Feliz (1-0, 1 KO), from Danbury, Connecticut, makes his second appearance in the paid ranks in a four-round tilt versus Lemir Isom-Riley (4-2, 2 KOs). Feliz dispatched Anthony Woodson III in only two rounds last Saturday in Corpus Christi, Texas. Isom-Riley last fought on the Teofimo Lopez-Jamaine Ortiz bill in February, stopping Antonio Zepeda in three rounds.

Nisa Rodriguez (1-0), a Golden Gloves champion and NYPD officer, will square off against Jordanne Garcia ( 4-3-3) in a four-round middleweight fight.

Rising flyweight Andy Dominguez (10-1, 6 KOs), who was born in Mexico and raised in The Bronx, will face Cristopher Rios (10-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-rounder.

James, Curry, Embiid headline 2024 USA Basketball Men’s National Team

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on James, Curry, Embiid headline 2024 USA Basketball Men’s National Team

USA Men’s National Team roster is all set, and this is a very good roster.

On Wednesday, USA Basketball announced the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s National Team, which will compete at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, set for July 26-Aug. 11, 2024.

The team is highlighted by 12  players with extensive USA Basketball experience including three-time Olympic champion Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns) and the NBA’s all-time scoring leader LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), who owns a pair of Olympic gold medals

In addition to Durant and James, the 2024 USA Men’s National Team features Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics), Kawhi Leonard (L.A. Clippers) and Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics).

The team was selected by USA Basketball Men’s National Team managing director Grant Hill.

Durant, who is also a 2010 World Cup gold medalist, is the USA’s all-time Olympic statistical leader in total points (435), scoring average (19.8 ppg), field goals (146), 3-point field goals (74) and free throws (69). He ranks third in rebounds (118) and blocks (16) and fourth in games played (24) and assists (71).

James, who has scored 273 points (3rd all-time among Americans) in the Olympics, will compete in his fourth Games and first since 2012. He won gold in 2008 and 2012 and made his Olympics debut in 2004 (bronze). James also owns a 2007 FIBA Tournament of the Americas gold medal.

Adebayo (2020), Booker (2020), Davis (2012), Holiday (2020) and Tatum (2020) have won Olympic gold medals and are part of a group that has gone 34-4 in Olympic competition since James’ debut in 2004.

Curry is a two-time World Cup champion (2010, 2014) and will make his Olympic debut this summer. He is one of six players who has competed at the World Cup, including Davis (2014), Durant (2010), Edwards (2023), Haliburton (2023), James (2006) and Tatum (2019). Of the seven World Cup participants, three (Curry; Davis, 2014; Durant, 2010) have also won gold and two (Edwards, 2023; Durant, 2010) have taken home All-Star Five honors. Edwards and Haliburton competed at the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup in Manila, helping to secure the United States’ Olympic bid.

Embiid and Leonard will make their USA Basketball national team debuts when the United States hosts Canada on July 10 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to open the USA Basketball Showcase.

The 2024 USA Men’s National Team will be led by head coach Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors), who is assisted by Mark Few (Gonzaga University), Tyronn Lue (L.A. Clippers) and Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat). Last summer, the quartet coached the 2023 USA Basketball Men’s National Team to a fourth-place finish at the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup in Manila.

USA Basketball will commence training camp on July 6 in Las Vegas. Following the game vs. Canada, the Americans will embark on an international training window that begins when the USA hosts Australia and Serbia on July 15 and 17, respectively, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Australia and Serbia will also face off on July 18 in Abu Dhabi.

The USA Basketball Showcase continues at London’s O2 Arena when the USA men takes on the national teams of South Sudan on July 20 and Germany on July 22.

Zion Williamson to miss at least two weeks with left hamstring strain

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Zion Williamson to miss at least two weeks with left hamstring strain

If the New Orleans Pelicans want to make the playoffs, they will have to do it without their best player, Zion Williamson.

On Wednesday, the Pelicans announced that Williamson has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain. An MRI taken this morning confirmed the injury.

Williamson will be re-examined in approximately two weeks.

Last season, Williamson missed the final 45 games for the Pelicans with a hamstring strain, so there is no guarantee, if the Pelicans make it to the playoffs, that he will be healthy enough to play again this season.

The two-time All-Star was dominant in the team’s 110-106 loss to the Lakers in New Orleans on Tuesday night. Williamson, who left late in the fourth quarter and did not return, had a game-high 40 points and 11 rebounds. The Pelicans may have defeated the Lakers if he had not gotten hurt. 

You have to feel for Williamson. He had an opportunity to compete in the playoffs for the first time in his career, and that opportunity could be lost.

Hopefully, Williamson’s teammates can pick him up on Friday night when the eight-seeded Pelicans host the ninth-seeded Sacramento Kings. The winner will battle the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.

Jontay Porter banned from NBA for gambling

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Jontay Porter banned from NBA for gambling

On Tuesday, the NBA announced that Toronto Raptors two-way player Jontay Porter has been banned from the league. 

“There is nothing more important than protecting the integrity of NBA competition for our fans, our teams, and everyone associated with our sport, which is why Jontay Porter’s blatant violations of our gaming rules are being met with the most severe punishment,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said a press release announcing the suspension.  

According to the NBA, a league investigation found that Porter violated league rules by disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, limiting his participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games. 

None of the bets involved any game in which Porter played, according to the NBA.

In addition, according to the league, the investigation found that before the Raptors’ March 20 game, Porter disclosed confidential information about his health status to an individual he knew to be an NBA bettor. Another individual with whom Porter associated and knew to be an NBA bettor subsequently placed an $80,000 parlay proposition bet with an online sportsbook to win $1.1 million, wagering that Porter would underperform in the March 20 game.

Furthermore, the league’s investigation also found that Porter limited his own game participation to influence the outcome of one or more bets on his performance in at least one Raptors game. In the March 20 game, Porter played only three minutes, claiming that he felt ill. Due to the unusual betting activity and actions of the player, the $80,000 proposition bet was frozen and was not paid out. From January through March 2024, while traveling with the Raptors or Raptors 905, the Raptors’ NBA G League affiliate, Porter, placed at least 13 bets on NBA games using an associate’s online betting account. 

According to the NBA, the 24-year-old Porter, brother of Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., profited nearly $22,000 from his illicit activities. 

Porter, who went undrafted out of Missouri in 2019, started his career with the Memphis Grizzlies. He bounced around the G League before signing a two-way deal with Raptors in 2023.

The league says the investigation remains open and may result in further findings.

Taylor-Serrano 2 added to Paul-Tyson

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Taylor-Serrano 2 added to Paul-Tyson

Undisputed super lightweight world champion Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs), will step back in the ring for the most anticipated rematch against boxing trailblazer and unified featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (46-2-1, 30 KOs).

Taylor-Serrano 2 will be the co-main event of the recently announced heavyweight match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, which will take place on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys(Netflix).

In a stunning fight of the year contest, Taylor defeated Serrano at a sold-out Madison Square Garden in April 2022. The bout ended in a narrow split decision in favor of Taylor; the rematch will be contested for the undisputed super lightweight championship 

“This is the rematch the world has wanted to see, and I’m delighted that it’s finally happening,” said Katie Taylor. “The first fight in New York was obviously an epic occasion and it more than lived up to the billing, and I’m sure the rematch will be no different. I want to thank Matchroom and DAZN for their help in making the fight possible and I’m looking forward to defending my titles as Undisputed World Champion in Dallas on Saturday, July 20.”

Amanda Serrano is the first-ever Puerto Rican undisputed and seven-division world champion. Most recently, Serrano took home a unanimous decision victory against her mandatory WBO challenger, Danila Ramos. This made history in the first-ever women’s unified world championship to be fought over 12 three-minute rounds, equal to any men’s championship fight. It marked the first time a women’s fight has gone the full 12×3. Serrano threw a career-high 1,103 punches in the bout. 

“I promised my fans they would see this rematch after we made history at MSG, and it feels like a dream come true to know that Katie and I are finally making it happen on the biggest stage possible to show the world what elite women’s boxing is all about,” said Serrano. “While my focus continues to be on giving women the choice to fight with the same rules as men, I’ve always said that this is the one fight I’d go back to 10×2 for if that’s what Katie wanted. I’m coming for her belts; she wants 10×2, so that’s what we will do. I believe I won our first fight, but I didn’t get the decision, so this time, I’m not leaving it to the judges. I am honored to share this iconic MVP card in the biggest stadium, on the biggest streaming platform in the world.”

Tyson is excited about Taylor-Serrano 2.

“Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are two of the best boxers in the world,” said Tyson. “I know they can both put on an incredible show, and I’m thrilled to have them join this card. These remarkable athletes will elevate the event with their global appeal and fan bases.”

Pistons announce reorganization of front office

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Pistons announce reorganization of front office

On Tuesday, the Detroit Pistons announced that the club plans to reorganize its basketball front office, which includes filling the role of a new head of basketball operations, reporting directly to owner Tom Gores.

According to the team, GM Troy Weaver and the basketball staff will remain in their positions and current roles while the organization assesses where adjustments are needed. 

In head coach Monty Williams’ first season, the Pistons(14-68) struggled. They had the worst record in the NBA and an NBA record-tying 28-game losing streak.

Gores acknowledged the team’s underperformance this season, but he believes the Pistons have a “strong foundation of young talent” and “strategic financial flexibility” to improve the team’s roster.

“This past season has been incredibly difficult and frustrating for our fans, players, and our entire organization,” said Gores. “We will continue to invest in our core group of young players and surround them with the right complimentary talent.”

According to Gores, he’s willing to do whatever he needs to build a winner in Detroit.

“I am committed to doing whatever it takes to build a winning team,” Gores explained. “Nothing is off the table. As tough as this season has been, a bright future is available to us. It’s in our power to get this right, and we will. This is a pivotal summer for the Pistons.”

Detroit does have some young talent in Cade Cunningham, Ausur Thompson, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren; in addition, they could have the number one overall pick in this year’s draft and reportedly $60 million in cap space, so the cupboard is not bare.

Wilder-Zhang headlines 5 vs 5 undercard

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Wilder-Zhang headlines 5 vs 5 undercard

Long-standing promotional rivals Queensberry and Matchroom will battle it out on June 1 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The 5 vs 5, which has created intense speculation and interest across the boxing world is headlined by the undisputed championship of the world match between light heavyweight greats Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

The current WBA world light heavyweight champion, the slick and stylish Bivol, 33, holds a record of 22-0 (11 KOs) and has successfully defended his title on 10 occasions over the last six years. Wrecking machine Beterbiev, 39, is the WBC, IBF and WBO world champion and has secured all of his 20 professional victories via knockout.

Here is the undercard:

Chinese giant “Big Bang” Zhilei Zhang (26-2-1, 21 KOs) has been chosen to represent Queensberry in the second heavyweight encounter. The 40-year-old southpaw takes on Matchroom pick and former WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs), the Bronze Bomber who made 10 successful defences of the title he won by defeating Bermane Stiverne in 2015. The man from Alabama, with the trademark ‘Bomb Squad’ chant, has executed a chilling 42 KOs from his 43 wins.

At featherweight, in what many predict will be a ‘fight of the year’ contender, and arguably should have been a world title unification, Queensberry’s Nick Ball, (19-0-1, 11 KOs), and Matchroom’s American world champion Ray Ford, (15-0-1, 8 KOs), compete for the WBA World Featherweight championship recently won by Ford in spectacular fashion against Otabek Kholmatov via a stoppage with just seven seconds of the 12 rounds remaining.

Queensberry’s undefeated Hamzah Sheeraz, the WBC Silver and Commonwealth champion with a record of 19-0 (15 KOs), trades blows with Matchroom’s USA product Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams, who has impressively assembled a record of 16-0 (11 KOs) and won the IBF North American title in 2023. A huge prize is on the line in the fight with the fight being recognised as a Final Eliminator for the WBC World Middleweight title. Sheeraz is also rated as the No.1 contender with the WBO so a World title opportunity beckons for the winner. Sheeraz, at just 24, is on a run of 13 straight stoppages, the longest consecutive KO streak currently in British boxing.

In the final fight, Queensberry light heavyweight and former World Amateur champion Willy Hutchinson (17-1, 13 KOs), one of the brightest talents in British boxing and the current WBC International champion, will face Matchroom’s former British champion and WBA world title challenger Craig ‘Spider’ Richards (18-3-1, 11 KOs).

NBA announces Play-In Tournament schedule

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on NBA announces Play-In Tournament schedule

The 2023-24 NBA regular season came to an end on Sunday, and now the first six seeds in each conference are set, and the Play-In Tournament, which begins on Tuesday when the Pelicans(7th) host the Lakers(8th), the Kings(9th) host the Warriors(10th).

In the East, the 76ers(7th) host the Heat(8th), and the Hawks(10th) travel to Chicago to battle the Bulls(9th).

There is going to be a very good that won’t make the playoffs this season, which makes this season’s Play-In Tournament very interesting.

The Play-In Tournament schedule is below:

GAME

AWAY

HOME

ET

TV/R

Tuesday, April 16

1

Lakers

Pelicans

7:30 PM

TNT

2

Warriors

Kings

10:00 PM

TNT/R

Wednesday, April 17

3

Heat

76ers

7:00

ESPN

4

Atlanta

Chicago

9:30

ESPN/R

Friday, April 19

5

Winner of Game 4

Loser of Game 3

TBD

ESPN/R

6

Winner of Game 2

Loser of Game 1

TBD

TNT/R

Below is the complete playoff schedule, which begins on Saturday, April 20. According to the NBA, the times of the games will be announced at a later date.

Pistons, Pelicans make roster moves

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Pistons, Pelicans make roster moves

The New Orleans Pelicans have converted the contract of forward Matt Ryan to a standard NBA contract, the team announced on Saturday.

There is no word on the terms of the contract.

Ryan, 26, whose two-way contract was awarded to New Orleans off waivers on October 22, 2023, has appeared in 27 games (one start) for the Pelicans this season, averaging 5.6 points and 1.5 rebounds while shooting .451 from deep.

The second-year forward is eligible to be on the Pelicans’ playoff roster.

New Orleans (49-32) will face the Lakers in their regular-season finale at home on Sunday. If they win, they will capture the sixth seed and avoid the Play-In Tournament.

Pistons sign Nowell for the rest of season

On Saturday, the Detroit Pistons announced they had signed guard Jaylen Nowell to a contract.  

Nowell signed a 10-day contract with Detroit on April 3. He’s appeared in three games with the Pistons, averaging 8.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 16.7 minutes per game.

A five-year NBA veteran, Nowell previously appeared in 193 career games (four starts) for Minnesota and Memphis. The No. 43 overall pick by the Timberwolves in the 2019 NBA Draft, Nowell holds career averages of 8.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.5 steals in 17.1 minutes per game. Nowell appeared in nine games for the Grizzlies this season, averaging 5.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 17.1 minutes.

In 28 games this season with the Stockton Kings, the NBA’s G League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings, Nowell is averaging 17.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 27.9 minutes per game.

Detroit (14-67) finishes their season on the road against the Spurs.

Duarte to battle JoJo Diaz on undercard of Ramirez-Barthelemy

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Duarte to battle JoJo Diaz on undercard of Ramirez-Barthelemy

Oscar “La Migraña” Duarte (26-2-1, 21 KOs) will battle former world champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (33-5-1, 15 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight match.

Mexico’s Duarte is coming back into the ring after a valiant dance with super lightweight world title contender Ryan Garcia last December; Diaz is coming off an upset split decision loss against Jesus Perez last February.

The event, headlined by Jose Ramirez-Rances Barthelemy and Vergil Ortiz Jr.-Thomas Dulorme, scheduled for Saturday, April 27, will take place live from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

Also. unified WBA, WBC, WBO and Ring Magazine Flyweight World Champion Marlen Esparza (14-1, 1 KOs) will put her titles on the line yet again in a bad-blood rematch against the former WBC Champ of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Gabriela “La Chucky” Alaniz (14-1, 6 KOs) in a 10-round championship bout. Esparza has her eyes set to become undisputed champion, however she has “La Chucky” in her way looking for revenge and will plan to give Esparza a nightmarish evening.

Opening the telecast, NABF Welterweight Title Holder Raul “El Cugar” Curiel (14-0,12 KOs) will defend his regional title against Jorge Marron Jr. (20-4-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-round affair. Curiel has been on a consecutive knockout streak, his last outing in January he was seen dismantling Elias Diaz last January.

On the preliminary card and making her highly anticipated professional debut, Jennah “The Gem” Creason of Visalia, California will make a splash in a four-round welterweight fight against a soon to be announced opponent. Creason is USA Boxing’s No.1-ranked, two-time USA Boxing National Champion, and has excelled in a diverse array of combat sports including wrestling, jiu jitsu, grappling and karate. Jennah’s accolades also include becoming a two-time Desert Showdown champion, a Junior Golden Gloves Champion, a Gold/Silver States Champion and a National Silver Gloves Champion. Her corner includes HOF and trainer of the year Robert Garcia and UFC HOF legend Bob Cook.

Also on the preliminary card, Madera, Calif.’s Brian Lua (8-0, 3 KOs) will participate in a six-round lightweight fight, and Figo Gonzalez (5-0, 2 KOs) of Dallas, Texas will square up in a four-round super flyweight fight. Opponents for both will be announced soon.