Canelo on Ryder: ‘I’m facing a very competitive fighter’
Saúl Canelo Álvarez will defend his Undisputed Super-Middleweight title against John Ryder at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico on Saturday May 6, live around the world on DAZN and DAZN PPV in the U.S & Canada – the first time in over a eleven and a half years that Canelo has fought in Mexico.
Canelo (58-2-2 39 KOs) defends his Undisputed crown for the second time after beating bitter rival Gennadiy Golovkin in their trilogy battle in Las Vegas in September, having ripped the IBF crown from Caleb Plant in Sin City in November 2021 with an 11th round stoppage.
The Mexican superstar will make an emotional return to his homeland for his latest Cinco de Mayo showdown, and it will be 4180 days since he last stepped through the ropes in Mexico, when he stopped Kermit Cintron in Mexico City in five rounds to defend his WBO World Light-Middleweight title.
The 32 year old four-weight World Champion fights for the 63rd time of his storied career as he closes in on 18 years as a pro. Cinco de Mayo weekend will see him fight for the 35th time in his homeland and it promises to be a spectacular occasion with the state of Jalisco marking 200 years of independence.
WBO mandatory challenger Ryder (32-5 18 KOs) will be looking to spoil the party, as the popular Londoner travels to Mexico for the biggest fight of his 12-year career. ‘The Gorilla’ landed the WBO interim title in his last fight when Zach Parker retired on his stool after four rounds of their clash in London, England in November.
That win for the 34 year old followed a career-best victory earlier in 2022 over former Middleweight ruler and old Canelo foe Daniel Jacobs, with Ryder having also tackled three other Britons who have taken on the Mexican king, challenging Callum Smith for the Super-Middleweight World crown after fights with Billy Joe Saunders and Rocky Fielding.
“I feel really happy to be coming back in May because following my surgery, I was unsure of when I’d be coming back,” said Canelo. “Returning to the ring and coming back to fight in Jalisco, where I’m from, makes me especially happy. And in John Ryder, I’m facing a very competitive fighter.”
“There’s no denying that Canelo is one of the greats and I’ve got a lot of respect for what he’s achieved in the sport but I fully believe this is my time fulfil my dream of becoming a World champion,” said Ryder.
“I’m not going over there for a holiday. For me this is purely business and my full focus is on going into his backyard in Guadalajara on May 6 and bringing those belts back with me to the UK. I want to thank the team, Tony and Charlie Sims and Matchroom Boxing for making this happen.”
“Canelo’s return to Mexico is historic for Mexican boxing,” said trainer Eddy Reynoso. “He is returning as an Undisputed champion, this is proof that a Mexican can succeed outside his country with discipline and love for his sport.
“I feel proud of all of this, because the dream of a kid who started in Guadalajara came true and he returns as a winner!”
Mavs’ Green: ‘Right now, the Western Conference is completely wide open’
For the time since December, the Dallas Mavericks(34-35) have fallen below .500 after losing to the Memphis Grizzlies 104-88 at home on Monday night.
Again, Dallas, who have lost three straight, was without their two best players, Luka Doncic(thigh) and Kyrie Irving(foot). Also, they were without Christian Wood(foot).
However, rookie Jaden Hardy scored 16 of his game-high 28 points in the first half, and the Mavs led 50-49 at halftime, but Memphis(41-26) outscored Dallas by 14 in the third and had their largest lead of 21 in the fourth.
With the loss, the Mavs dropped to the eighth seed in the West, and if the season ended today, they would have to win in the Play-In Tournament to make the playoffs.
According to their head coach Jason Kidd, Dallas has to get healthy in order to make a run in their final 13 games.
“Once the season is over,” Kidd said after the loss to Memphis. “It’s just the regular season. Well, that (the regular season could end, and the year is over)’s true, too. Then there has to be concern. Just understand, our health – this is what we have; these are the cards we’re dealt. Just like anybody in this league, we’ve got to play with the cards that we had tonight…
“Understand, we’re getting better – it’s just a matter of ‘can we be healthy in time to make a stretch run?’ If not, that’s just the season. No one is dying.”
While Dallas is the eighth seed right now, they are only two games behind the sixth and fifth-seeded teams, the Warriors and Clippers, and are 3.5 games behind the fourth-seeded Suns, so there’s still hope. However, Josh Green, who had 23 points, five rebounds, and seven assists on Monday, says Dallas has to start winning.
“We’ve got to win,” Green said. “It’s no other option now. We all need to have the mindset that we’re trying to win every single game from here on out. We’re playing against teams like the Lakers coming up and even the Spurs, where the young guys are trying to beat us. So, at the end of the day, whatever’s on all of our minds, it’s no more than that we need to win for the rest of the season and continue to win. Right now, the Western Conference is completely wide open, and we need to make sure that we’re winning games.”
Dallas gets back at it on Wednesday night in San Antonio against the Spurs.
Eagles: Hargrave, Edwards, Epps are on the move; Kelce returns for 13th season
Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles had a loaded roster, which helped them become NFC champions and play in Super Bowl 57, but that roster took a hit on the opening day of NFL free agency.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, former Eagles Pro Bowl DT Javon Hargrave has reached an agreement on a four-year, $84 million deal that includes $40 million guaranteed at signing with the San Francisco. 49ers.
Last season, Hargrave, who started 20 games(including playoffs) recorded a career-high 11.0 sacks, which helped Philadelphia record a league-leading 70 sacks in the regular season. The 49ers already had a stout defense and an excellent defensive line, and the addition of Hargrave makes their defensive line and defense even better next season.
Hargrave, 30, joined the Eagles in 2020 as a free agent when he signed a three-year, $39 million deal after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Steelers. The seven-year veteran spent three seasons in Philadelphia.
Without Hargrave, the Eagles hope that DT Jordan Davis can step up next season.
Edwards goes to Chicago
Former Eagles LB T.J. Edwards has reportedly signed with the Chicago Bears. According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Edwards gets $19.5M over three years, with $12 million guaranteed.
The 26-year-old had a breakout season in 2022. Edwards, who started all 20 games for the Eagles last season, including the playoffs, had a career-high 159 tackles in the regular season.
He spent four seasons in Philadelphia after joining the team as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2019.
As of now, Philadelphia is hoping LB Nakobe Dean can replace Edwards.
Epps is headed to Las Vegas
According to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Raiders are signing former Eagles safety Marcus Epps to a two-year, $12 million deal with nearly $8 million guaranteed.
Last season, the 27-year-old Epps started all 20 games for Philadelphia, and according to ESPN’s Stats & Info, Epps played 1,058 defensive snaps, the most by any Eagles player in 2022.
Epps was claimed off waivers by the Eagles in 2019 after playing eight games with the Vikings.
He spent four seasons in Philadelphia.
Kelce returns!
In some good news for the Eagles, Pro Bowl center Jason Kelce announced that he would return for next season and play his 13th season in Philadelphia.
Kelce, 35, went to his sixth Pro Bowl last season and was selected All-Pro for the fifth time in his career. Kelce has not missed a game for the last eight seasons and is still playing at a very high level.
Here’s how Kelce announced his return:
“I have put much thought into whether it makes sense to play another season. After talking it over with my wife and many other friends and family, I have decided to return for another year. Thank you to all my supporters and detractors for fueling me, I ain’t fu***** done yet!”
All deals can become official on March 15.
Harper-Braekhus set for May 20 in Ireland
Terri Harper will defend her WBA Super-Welterweight World Title against former world pound-for-pound No.1 Cecilia Braekhus on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s historic homecoming clash with Chantelle Cameron at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday May 20(DAZN).
Former WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Champion Harper (13-1-1 6 KOs) won the WBA 154-pound world title by widely outpointing Scotland’s Hannah Rankin at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham in September last year – her first fight up at Super-Welterweight.
Norway’s Braekhus (37-2, 9 KOs), a former undisputed ruler at 147 pounds, is attempting to become a two-division World Champion. ‘First Lady’, a modern pioneer of women’s boxing, held the WBC and WBA World Titles at Welterweight from 2009 to 2020, also picking up the WBO Title in 2010 and the IBF Title in 2014.
Braekhus lost the titles by majority decision to Jessica McCaskill in August 2020 in Downtown Tulsa, USA and lost again to ‘CasKILLA’ in a rematch at the American Airlines Center in Dallas in March 2021. McCaskill is the only fighter to have beaten Braekhus as a professional.
“This fight has been a long time coming but it will be worth the wait to be on such an amazing card,” said Harper. “All eyes around the world will be watching that night and I want to show everyone who Terri Harper is.”
“I’m very excited to challenge Terri Harper for the WBA 154lb. World Title on this tremendous card, my first time fighting in Ireland,” said Braekus. “I’ve spent my entire career facing the toughest challenges and this fight is another chapter.”
“I’m delighted to announce the first undercard fight for what will be one of the greatest nights of boxing in Irish history on Saturday May 20 – and what a fight!” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Two-weight World Champion Terri Harper gets the biggest fight of her life as she makes the first defense of her WBA Super-Welterweight World Title against former pound-for-pound No.1 and undisputed Welterweight ruler Cecilia Braekus.
“Two unbelievable World Title fights already confirmed for Katie Taylor’s historic homecoming fight against undisputed Super-Lightweight Champion Chantelle Cameron and there’s still so much more to come. We’re building an incredible show on May 20 and we will be confirming the next undercard fight tomorrow – it’s another cracker! Roll on May 20 live worldwide on DAZN.”
“It is an honor to prepare Terri for a contest with arguably one of the greatest females of all time in Cecilia Braekhus,” said trainer and manager Stefy Bull. “This has just got a whole lot more exciting now we are sharing a bill with what I believe has the potential to be the best and most thrilling fight female boxing can deliver in Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron. Two of the best female fighters on the planet in an undisputed vs. undisputed clash – May 20 is going to be one hell of a night.”
“Cecilia is one of the most accomplished female boxers in the sport with 3 Guinness Book World Records, we’re excited to work with Eddie, Matchroom and DAZN again for Cecilia being on this tremendous show in Dublin, Ireland.”
76ers’ Embiid named Eastern Conference Player of the Week
Joel Embiid had another great week, which got him some recognition. He was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played between Monday, March 6, and Sunday, March 12, the league announced on Monday.
For the week, Embiid averaged 38.5 points (62.0% FG, 50.0% 3PT, 87.9% FT), 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.8 blocks, and 1.5 steals per outing. The 76ers had a perfect 4-0 week, and he was the lone player to average such numbers in the league; Philadelphia’s five-game win streak is the longest in the NBA.
He led all players in total points (154) and free throws (51) while ranking second in blocked shots (11) throughout the week.
Embiid scored at least 39 points in three consecutive games from March 6-10, becoming the first 76er to accomplish that feat since Hall of Famer Allen Iverson in 2004. This included a 39-point effort on Friday, March 10, which helped the 76ers overcome a 21-point deficit against Portland. In that game, a 120-119 victory, Embiid hit a go-ahead field goal with 1.5 seconds remaining, marking the first time he has connected on a go-ahead basket within the final 2.0 seconds of a game in his NBA career.
In 54 games this season, Embiid leads the league in scoring with a career-high 33.4 points on a career-best 53.9% shooting mark from the field, in addition to his 10.0 rebounds per game. The Cameroon native is on pace to become the first player since Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo (1973-75) – and the only player in franchise history – to average at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in back-to-back seasons.
This is the 10th time Embiid has captured the weekly award and his third honor this season. Embiid and Iverson (20) are the only 76ers to win the award at least 10 times since the award’s inception in 1979-80.
Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings was named Western Conference Player of the Week.
Cavs overcome 16-point second-half deficit to defeat Hornets
The Cleveland Cavaliers(43-27) continued their four-game road trip in Charlotte against the Hornets(22-48) on Sunday. Cleveland, without center Jarrett Allen(eye), was looking to return to their winning ways after falling to the Heat on Friday night.
Cleveland did not get the start they wanted, but they got the finish they needed as they overcame a 16-point third-quarter deficit to defeat the Hornets 114-108 at Spectrum Center,.
Here’s the Great, Not So Great, and the Bottom Line of the Cavs’ win over the Hornets.
The Great:
After missing Friday’s loss against the Heat due to a quad injury, Darius Garland returned on Sunday and was big-time. He had a game-high 28 points, along with six rebounds and six assists.
Donovan Mitchell scored 10 of his 23 points in the fourth. With the Cavs clinging to a 109-108 lead late in the fourth, Mitchell made a huge floater to stretch the lead to three—great work from one of the Cavs’ closers.
Evan Mobley, who started at the center for the injured Allen, had 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter to go along with nine rebounds, and midway through the fourth, the second-year forward gave the Cavs their first lead at 100-99 since the first quarter with a dunk, which gave Cleveland the lead for good.
Fourth Quarter: Cleveland trailed 89-81 after three quarters but finally got it going in the fourth. In the final stanza, they outscored the Hornets 33-19 and shot 61% from the floor. In addition, they forced five turnovers, which led to 10 points. Mitchell and Mobley scored 20 of the team’s 33 fourth-quarter points.
Mobley and Caris LeVert were a team-best +14 in the fourth.
Forcing Turnovers: The Cavs forced 19 turnovers, which led to 29 points.
Not So Great:
Three-Points Shooting: Cleveland was 7/27 from deep, and Garland had the biggest issue as he was 2/10 from three-point range.
First Quarter and Most of the Third Quarter: The Hornets led 35-25 after the first quarter and dominated most of the third quarter. In that third quarter, the Hornets had their largest lead of the game at 89-73. Fortunately for Cleveland, they found a way.
Bottom Line:
The Bottom Line is the Cavs got the win, and in the end, that’s all that matters. Clearly, this was not their best performance, and clearly, this was a game they could have and maybe should have lost, but again, they closed the game the right way on the road.
What’s Next:
Cleveland finishes their four-game road trip against the Hornets again on Tuesday night.
Best of the Rest:
-LeVert had 15 points, and Ricky Rubio added 11 points off the bench. Cleveland had five players in double figures.
-The Hornets starting five all scored in double figures. Terry Rozier led the way with 27 points; P.J. Washington had 19 points, and Nick Richards added 15 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks.
-According to Cavs Notes, this was the Cavs’ 14th win of the season when trailing by double-digits.
Tsyzu: ‘I’m coming to America!’
Tim Tszyu proved he was the real deal on Sunday at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.
Tszyu dropped former 154-pound champion Tony Harrison in the ninth round. After getting up, referee Danrex Tapdasan did not like what he saw from Harrison and called off the action at 2:43 of the ninth, and Tszyu would become the interim WBO 154-pound champion.
At the time of the stoppage, all three judges had the fight 77-75 for Tszyu.
At times, Harrison(29-4-1, 21 KOs) did a decent job with his jab, but he could not keep the relentless Tszyu(22-0, 16 KOs) off of him. The Australian native landed 128 power shots and landed them at a high percentage(45%).
Before the fight, Tszyu said the ninth round would be the round he would “drown” Harrison, and boy, he was right. The 28-year-old landed a big right hand with just over a minute to go in the round, and Harrison would back up against the ropes. Tsyzu started to land some vicious uppercuts, eventually dropping Harrison and ending the night.
Tszyu had initially been scheduled to face undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo in a January clash before Charlo was forced to withdraw due to a hand injury, and now that should happen later this year as Charlo, who called the fight for Showtime, said he would be ready to return in the summer.
After the fight, Tsyzu, who is trying to do at 154 what his legendary father, Kostya, did at 140, becoming an undisputed champion, made it clear that he wants Charlo next.
“The message was sent clearly,” Tszyu said. “You know what’s up. You know what’s next. I’m coming. I’m coming to Vegas! I’m coming to America!”
Harrison gave all the credit to Tsyzu.
“The better man won tonight,” Harrison said. “He’s on to bigger and better things, and I don’t know where I’ll go from here.”
It should be interesting to see what Harrison does next. He did not appear to have the legs he once possessed in this fight, so you wonder where he goes next. Regarding Tszyu, who beat the only fighter to beat Charlo in Harrison, his battle with Charlo should have a lot of action and be a lot fun.
Can he beat Charlo? Probably not, but he will be game, and he will be ready to go.
Taylor: ‘I’m looking forward to becoming a two-weight Undisputed Champion’
Katie Taylor has the chance to become a two-weight undisputed World Champion when she takes on undisputed Super-Lightweight World Champion Chantelle Cameron in a historic homecoming fight at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday May 20(DAZN).
Irish legend Taylor (22-0, 6 KOs) fights in Ireland for the first time in her professional career as she bids to create even more history and further cement herself as the greatest female fighter on the planet when she meets England’s Cameron.
Taylor edged out Amanda Serrano in an epic fight for the ages on an iconic night at a sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York last April. The global superstar retained her Undisputed Lightweight World Title belts after a Fight of the Year contender with multi-division World Champion Serrano.
It was the first women’s boxing bout to headline the famous MSG in its 140-year history, attracting an unprecedented audience of 1.5 million tuning in globally on DAZN. The rivals were set to rematch in Dublin on May 20 until Serrano withdrew due to injury last month.
Northampton’s Cameron (17-0, 8 KOs) achieved a lifetime dream by outpointing the USA’s Jessica McCaskill to be crowned undisputed at 140lbs at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates last November.
Cameron captured the famous green and gold WBC 140lbs World Title by widely outpointing Brazil’s Adriana dos Santos Arauja behind closed doors at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes back in October 2020.
‘Il Capo’ looked sensational as she stopped Puerto Rico’s Melissa Hernandez in five rounds during the first defence of her crown the following year in her US debut at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.
The 31-year-old added the IBF and inaugural Ring Magazine World Titles to her collection by decisioning Indiana’s Mary McGee in an all-action main event at The O2 in London in October 2021 before defending her titles with another unanimous decision points win over Victoria Noelia Bustos in May last year.
“Once Serrano pulled out this was the natural fight to make,” said Taylor. “It’s two undefeated, reigning Undisputed World Champions going up against each other and I believe that’s the first time that’s ever happened in the modern era of the sport.
“People have been talking about this fight for a long time now so I’m delighted it’s happening and I’m looking forward to becoming a two-weight Undisputed Champion in Dublin on May 20.”
“It feels surreal that the fight is actually happening,” said Cameron. “It feels like my whole professional career has been based around this fight and I never imagined it would actually happen for one reason or another.
“I’m no stranger to boxing away from home now and to be going into Katie’s backyard for her homecoming is massive. I’m glad to be a part of history again like I was in Abu Dhabi. I know what I will be up against and that I am the underdog but I relish that. The fight will be electric. We both are experienced, we are both game and we are both are coming to win
“To successfully defend my belts against Taylor will be the icing on the cake for me. To become undisputed and then defend them against the pound-for-pound best in women’s boxing will really mark my place in women’s boxing and create my own legacy.”
“I can’t wait to be a part of the historic moment when Katie Taylor makes her homecoming in Ireland to attempt to make history and become a two-weight undisputed Champion,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “For the first time in her career Katie Taylor called an opponent out because that’s how important this moment is for her. She called out in my opinion the most dangerous test in boxing for her at this time – the undisputed Super-Lightweight World Champion Chantelle Cameron. This fight has been talked about for many years and we always said that when the timing was right Katie would have no problem accepting the challenge.
“For Chantelle, she has done everything that has been asked of her – became World Champion, unified the division and became undisputed at the end of last year. She is a formidable fighter who has always believed she can beat Katie Taylor. On May 20 you will see one of the greatest nights in Irish sporting history as the icon of Irish boxing will be part of an event that will have the eyes of the world watching. We’re building an incredible undercard to accompany a wonderful main event which I think will surpass even the heights of Taylor vs. Serrano. Get ready Ireland, we’re coming! We look forward to an incredible night. Watch it live around the world on DAZN.”
