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Ricky Hatton spots ‘worrying sign’ for Anthony Joshua over Oleksandr Usyk rematch | Boxing | Sport

Boxing

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October 3, 2021

Ricky Hatton spots ‘worrying sign’ for Anthony Joshua over Oleksandr Usyk rematch | Boxing | Sport

Ricky Hatton has fired a warning to Anthony Joshua over his potential rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua, 31, was left stunned at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Saturday as the Ukrainian produced a masterful display to take the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight belts.

The result all but scuppers Joshua’s hopes of his next fight being a long-awaited showdown with fellow British fighter Tyson Fury, and he has already stated his intention to invoke his rematch clause with Usyk, 34.

Former professional boxer Hatton, 42, admitted he was left “gutted” by the result, but was also full of praise for Usyk as he outlined his fears for Joshua second time round.

Writing in his column for the Metro he said: “He (Usyk) maintained it from start to finish and I think in the last round when he put his foot on the gas, he was saying to AJ: ‘This still isn’t my best. I’ve still got some more to come here.’

“It was a bit of a warning there for AJ for this rematch. ‘Look what I can really do when I put my foot down.’ Which is a very worrying sign for AJ.”

JUST IN: Tyson Fury’s surprising Anthony Joshua message after Oleksandr Usyk defeat

Hatton still backed Joshua to recover from his latest setback, but thinks his second career defeat is a real blow to British boxing fans.

“I am genuinely gutted. We as British fight fans wanted to see AJ get the win. He has done the country so proud, he is a lovely fella.

“Tyson is my mate and he’s gone through so many bad times I want him to get to the very top and getting those two in the ring was the one we as fight fans wanted more than anything. So I do feel for AJ. He is a good man.

“Joshua vs Fury would have been their defining fight. Although AJ’s career isn’t over yet – far from it – that is the fight we all wanted.”

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Vaccination rate for NBA players rises to 95 percent, sources say

Basketball

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October 2, 2021

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Vaccination rate for NBA players rises to 95 percent, sources say

The NBA has reached a 95% vaccination threshold of its players, reflecting a steady rise since the opening of training camps this week, league sources told ESPN on Thursday.

That uptick — which includes players who’ve minimally received one vaccination shot, sources said — comes as unvaccinated players prepare for losses of salary for games missed in the Bay Area and New York due to local governmental mandates.

The story of unvaccinated players such as a Brooklyn‘s Kyrie Irving and Washington‘s Bradley Beal consumed the news cycle surrounding the opening of training camps Monday, but teams indicates that a number of factors — including continued education on the safety of the vaccine — have contributed to the increase in player participation.

Near the opening of training camps, the NBA had approximately 90% of its players vaccinated.

The NBA and the Players Association agreed on stringent policies for unvaccinated players this season, including realities of significant isolation from teammates and staff.

The protocols will require unvaccinated players to be under many of the same restrictions that the entire league played under for the vast majority of last season, before the COVID-19 vaccine was available.

Vaccinated players, on the other hand, will have far fewer restrictions. For example, all fully vaccinated players, as well as Tier 1 personnel — coaches and anyone else working regularly within 15 feet of players and referees, all of whom have already been mandated to get the vaccine — will not have to undergo daily testing.

Teams have also been instructed to have their seating arrangements prevent players that aren’t fully vaccinated from sitting together.

One thing that will be consistent for both vaccinated and unvaccinated players is the use of face masks, which the protocols say everyone will have to wear at all times in team facilities, when traveling with the team and where otherwise required under applicable federal, state, or local laws, regulations or orders.

Most team staff, as well as NBA referees, are required to be vaccinated.

In addition to Irving, it surfaced that Golden State Warriors wing Andrew Wiggins could be prevented from playing in home games this season because of executive orders in San Francisco and New York that require people to be fully vaccinated to be allowed indoors for entertainment.

The orders only apply to the players who play in those markets; out-of-market players are exempted from them. Players who are forced to miss games due to those executive orders will not be paid for any games they miss.

Wiggins’ request for a religious exemption was denied by the league.

ESPN’s Baxter Holmes and Tim Bontemps contributed to this report.

Recent Match Report – Central PNJB vs Sindh 16th Match 2021/22

Cricket

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October 2, 2021

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Report

Veteran’s 85* singlehandedly took Central Punjab to 168 before Sindh collapsed to fall behind on DLS

Central Punjab 168 for 8 (Malik 85*, Shehzad 35, Raees 4-33, Abrar 3-39) beat Sindh 110 for 6 (Sharjeel 36, Qasim 3-20, Gul 2-15) by 12 runs (DLS method)

Shoaib Malik singlehandedly carried Central Punjab through the second half of their innings as they defeated Sindh by 12 runs via the DLS method to move into third place. Central Punjab elected to bat and lost Babar Azam and Muhammad Akhlaq inside five overs. Malik joined Ahmed Shehzad at that point and the pair added 42 for the third wicket before Shehzad fell in the 11th over to leave them 71 for 3. From that point onwards, only one Central Punjab batter got into double-figures – Hasan Ali who made 12 off four balls. Abrar Ahmed and Rumman Raees shared seven wickets to peg Central Punjab back. But despite the bowling dominance at the other end, Malik managed to not only bat through to the end of the innings, but helped add 98 from the point of Shehzad’s wicket, eventually finishing unbeaten on 85 off just 47 balls as they posted 168 for 8. He hit eight fours and five sixes.

Sindh began their chase with speed, openers Khurram Mansoor and Sharjeel Khan adding 48 in 4.4 overs before the former fell to Sameen Gul. Shan Masood kept the pace up as well, getting Sindh to 76 for 2 when he fell in the eight over. But from there, Sindh collapsed against the offspin of 18-year-old Qasim Akram to fall to 110 for 6. Those wickets eventually came back to haunt them as the match had to be decided by the DLS method.

Chris Eubank Jr vs Anatoli Muratov cancelled after BBBoC raise pre-fight medical concerns | Boxing | Sport

Boxing

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October 2, 2021

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Chris Eubank Jr vs Anatoli Muratov cancelled after BBBoC raise pre-fight medical concerns | Boxing | Sport

Chris Eubank Jr’s fight with Anotali Muratov scheduled for tonight at the SSE arena has sensationally been cancelled due to concerns raised over the latter’s pre-fight medical.

The British Board of Boxing Control (BBBoC) have taken the decision to prevent the fight from happening.

Eubank’s proposed bout with Muratov was expected to headline a packed card.

David Avanesyan’s European Welterweight Championship fight with Liam Taylor has now been elevated to the top of the card.

The English Super-Middleweight title eliminator between Germaine Brown and Jamal Le Doux will also feature.

A Sky Sports statement read:” With the health and safety of our boxers being of paramount concern and the remaining time frame allowing no possibility of finding a replacement opponent of suitable quality, the bout has been cancelled and Eubank will not be appearing on tonight’s card.

“Obviously we are all disappointed that Chris Eubank Jr can no longer compete on tonight’s card, but it is important to make the right decision in the interests of fighters’ health and safety. We’re grateful to the British Board of Boxing Control for the standards they employ to protect that,” said BOXXER’s Ben Shalom.

“My thoughts go out to Chris, who has had a very difficult time lately. He will come back stronger and remains a key figure in Sky Sports plans. Chris will be returning with a big fight in the next few weeks.

“Tonight’s card remains stacked with great fights from top to bottom, including the European Welterweight Championship bout in the main event, the English Super-Middleweight Title Eliminator bout between Germaine Brown and Jamal Ledoux and the return of top cruiserweight prospect Richard Riakporhe.”

“David Avanesyan now tops tonight’s action-packed bill with his European title fight and we’ll bring you some of the most exciting talent in British boxing, with Richard Riakporhe, Ebonie Jones, and Germaine Brown all receiving their chance to shine on Sky Sports.”

Kalle Sauerland, Head of Global Boxing at Wasserman, added: “It is an extremely unfortunate situation for Chris. However, the health and safety of boxers is always our number one concern and at this late stage it wasn’t possible to find a suitable replacement.

“I know Chris was looking forward to fighting tonight at The SSE Arena, Wembley and starring as the new face of Sky Sports Boxing. We are already in discussions regarding a new date for Chris and fans can expect to see him back in the ring very soon.”

Szafnauer: I’ll be Aston Martin team principal reporting to Whitmarsh

F1

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October 2, 2021

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Szafnauer: I’ll be Aston Martin team principal reporting to Whitmarsh

otmar-szafnauer-team-principal aston martin

Martin Whitmarsh returns to Formula 1 with Aston Martin in pretty much a similar role he had at McLaren namely CEO, but the day-to-day running of Lawrence Stroll’s team will remain in the hands of Otmar Szafnauer.

One of Ron Dennis’ big decisions, in the final days of his downfall in charge of the team he built, was to oust Whitmarsh at the end of the 2013 season whereafter he went off the F1 radar, rarely speaking publically about the sport or his former team.

He went on to become CEO of Olympic Ben Ainslie’s America’s Cup challenge until November 2017, when he took on an advisory role. A month later he was tasked by FIA to consult on cost-cutting in motorsport.

Whitmarsh is also part of the Hamilton Commission, launched by his former driver (now seven-time F1 world champion) Lewis Hamilton, and sits on the advisory board of Formula E.

Last month, billionaire Stroll announced that Whitmarsh was hired to the position of CEO he now occupies at Aston Martin Performance Technologies.

Speaking to Motorsport.com, team principal Szafnauer explained how team management will operate in future: “The F1 side will remain under my leadership and remit. So I’ll still be team principal and CEO. Martin will be group CEO, with the F1 side reporting through him.

“I guess the only thing that hasn’t been planned is how much of his time because he’s got the entire group, does he spend on each one of those entities.

“I would imagine at the beginning most of his time will be spent growing the Aston Martin Performance Technologies area, which is where his most recent expertise lies, and not focus so much on F1. But the bit that hasn’t been planned is how much of his time will be spent where.”

Sazfanuer credits Whitmarsh’s vast experience in F1 – which included presidency of the (now defunct) Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) – as a big plus for the building of a potent team with huge ambitions.

“He was there at McLaren when they started doing that, so he’s got that experience, and he can lead us to shortcuts in doing that.

“He’s also had seven years now of boat racing experience, including starting a new company that is taking technologies from boat racing and moving that technology into I think cargo ships.

“And it’s an applied technology type business, technology transfer. He’s got good experience in that, and he’ll help us shortcut the development of our performance technology business,” added Szafnauer.

The American joined Honda when the Japanese manufacturer returned to the top flight in 2001, remaining with the F1 team until 2008.

Szafnauer moved to the Force India team in 2009 where he has remained through the transition from Vijay Mallya’s operation to Stroll’s Racing Point venture, which since morphed into the Aston Martin dream team being built right now at Silverstone

Edmonton to host World Cup qualifiers in November, welcoming Costa Rica, Mexico

Sport News

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October 2, 2021

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Edmonton to host World Cup qualifiers in November, welcoming Costa Rica, Mexico

Canada Soccer will welcome Costa Rica and Mexico to Edmonton in November for World Cup qualifying games, hoping chilly weather and artificial turf at Commonwealth Stadium will make the CONCACAF visitors uncomfortable.

The 51st-ranked Canadian men host No. 44 Costa Rica on Nov. 12 and No. 9 Mexico on Nov. 16.

“We could have made things a lot easier and played in maybe different environments but we wanted to make it difficult for the opponent,” said Canada coach John Herdman.

“We wanted to make them travel across time zones, play in a Canadian winter and on a surface that they won’t be happy with.

“We get a chance to play two matches at home in an environment we can control and get our players acclimatized to and ready to create a fortress out west. I’m excited for that aspect.”

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Canada’s first two home games of the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, against Honduras and El Salvador in September, were played in Toronto with BMO Field also set to host Panama on Oct. 13.

Click to play video: 'Will Edmonton be a co-host for 2026 World Cup?'

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Will Edmonton be a co-host for 2026 World Cup?

Will Edmonton be a co-host for 2026 World Cup? – Jun 13, 2018

Herdman also noted that Edmonton is in the running to host games at the 2026 World Cup. And the city has shown its support for the national team, with 53,058 taking in the opening game of the 2015 Women’s World Cup — a 1-0 Canada victory over China thanks to Christine Sinclair’s 92nd minute penalty at Commonwealth Stadium.

“It was a sea of red in that game,” said Herdman, who was coach of the Canadian women then.

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Plus, playing in Edmonton brings Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies a chance to shine at home.

“That kid’s done so much for this country, whether it’s his speech that lit up the world (at the FIFA Congress) in helping (Canada, the U.S. and Mexico) land (the) 2026 (World Cup) to what he’s achieved on a global stage — and to allow him come home and be appreciated by the people who’ve watched him from afar,” said Herdman.

“I think it’s just a great little storyline.”

A Canada Soccer spokesman said Commonwealth Stadium will be available at full capacity for the November matches.

The Canadian men have not played in Edmonton since May 2013 when they beat Costa Rica 1-0. Canada tied Mexico 2-2 there in October 2008.

Click to play video: 'Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies tells FIFA World Congress of his dream ahead of 2026 World Cup vote'

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Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies tells FIFA World Congress of his dream ahead of 2026 World Cup vote

Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies tells FIFA World Congress of his dream ahead of 2026 World Cup vote – Jun 13, 2018

Lens cut PSG lead to six points in empty stadium | The Guardian Nigeria News

Football

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October 2, 2021

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Lens cut PSG lead to six points in empty stadium | The Guardian Nigeria News

Lens’ French forward Arnaud Kalimuendo (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the French L1 football match between RC Lens and Stade de Reims at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, northern France on October 1, 2021.<br />FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / AFP

Lens cut Paris Saint-Germain’s lead at the top of Ligue 1 to six points on Friday with a 2-0 win over Reims although their fans were forced to stay away.

Teenage striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, on loan from PSG, scored both Lens goals as the team moved to 18 points.

PSG lead with 24 points from eight games and have a game in hand.

Lens were playing their second home match at Stade Bollaert behind closed doors following crowd trouble last month in the local derby with Lille.

Kalimuendo, just 19, opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot after a red card handed to Reims teenage winger Hugo Ekitike for dangerous play.

Kalimuendo added his second in the 52nd minute as Lens bounced back from a 1-0 loss to Strasbourg in their last, crowdless, home game.

“We were in control. Obviously, with the penalty and the red card, it helped us to intensify our control,” said Lens coach Franck Haise.

“To be second in the table heading into the international break, with an average of two points per game, it’s beautiful.”

PSG will look to restore their nine-point lead when they travel to Rennes on Sunday.

Gayle Benson outlines future succession plan to keep Saints, Pelicans in New Orleans

Basketball

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October 2, 2021

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Gayle Benson outlines future succession plan to keep Saints, Pelicans in New Orleans

METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson and team officials revealed the teams’ long-term succession plans in detail for the first time on Wednesday, telling The Times-Picayune and WVUE-TV that they would be sold with the goal of keeping the teams in New Orleans and distributing the proceeds to charity.

The arrangement, which has been approved by the NFL, is similar to what happened after Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson died in 2014 and the team was later sold to Terry and Kim Pegula.

Benson, 74, and Saints president Dennis Lauscha, who would serve as the executor of her estate, said the proceeds would be distributed to charities that benefit the people of New Orleans, including the fields of education, health care, arts and sciences and humanitarian causes.

A Saints and Pelicans official confirmed details of the plan to ESPN.

“I can’t take it with me,” said Benson, who replaced her late husband Tom Benson as owner in 2018 and has no heirs of her own. “God gives us gifts, and this is a gift. I am a steward for this [organization]. And we help other people with it. My wish is to scatter all the good and gifts that God and Tom have given me to this city and community.”

According to the report, the decision to distribute proceeds to local charities originated when Tom Benson was still the owner. The issue of long-term succession has been a curiosity ever since Tom revealed in 2015 that he wanted to leave his franchises to Gayle, whom he married in 2004, instead of his daughter and grandchildren. That set off a bitter legal feud over the next two years and ended with a private settlement.

One reason the succession plan has become relevant today is because the Saints are involved in long-term lease-extension talks with the state of Louisiana and the Caesars Superdome, the lease for which runs through 2025.

Lauscha said a lease extension would tie the Saints to New Orleans long term, even if ownership were to change hands, because the NFL has a policy against teams breaching a lease agreement to switch markets. Lauscha also said a favorable lease agreement would make it more attractive for a future owner to want to stay in New Orleans.

“I want to make sure that we keep the teams here,” Benson added. “I want them to stay in New Orleans forever.”

Eddie Hearn ‘ruined Anthony Joshua’s career’ claims Oscar De La Hoya | Boxing | Sport

Boxing

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October 2, 2021

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Eddie Hearn ‘ruined Anthony Joshua’s career’ claims Oscar De La Hoya | Boxing | Sport

Oscar De La Hoya has taken a scathing swipe at Eddie Hearn in a bizarre video posted online. De La Hoya, 48, appeared to forget Hearn’s name as he accused the promoter of “ruining Anthony Joshua’s career,” all while getting a face massage off girlfriend Holly Sonders.

Matchroom boss Hearn was ring-side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Saturday as Joshua, 31, was outclassed by Oleksandr Usyk, with the Ukrainian taking a unanimous points verdict to claim the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight belts.

However, in a clip posted on Twitter by Michael Benson, Online Boxing Editor for talkSPORT, De La Hoya said no one in America saw the fight.

“I’ll tell you one thing the, uh…” De La Hoya began, before asking Sonders who were the fighters. “Joshua versus Usyk, which nobody saw in the US, because…”

JUST IN: Tyson Fury’s surprising Anthony Joshua message after Oleksandr Usyk defeat

“What’s that promoter that doesn’t know how to.. that has no clue of what to do in the US? I think his name is Hearn or something,” De La Hoya continued.

“Oh, Thomas Hearn?” Sonders, a golfer, sports presenter and model, responds.

“Yeah, Thomas Hearn. Thomas Hearn,” shouts De La Hoya, before tearing into the 42-year-old directly.

“Stay in the UK. Promote your fights. You have no clue what you are doing in the US. DAZN is doing the right thing by sticking with Golden Boy.”

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The boxing legend, whose comeback fight with Vitor Belfort was scuppered last month when he tested positive for Covid-19, then finished off by stating: “He does not know how to promote in America – Usyk crowned himself world champion and Eddie Hearn ruined Joshua’s career.”

There is much to question about De La Hoya’s outburst. For a start, given he heads Golden Boy Promotions himself, it is almost inconceivable that he would not be aware of the name of a rival as renowned as Hearn.

However, the American-Mexican, who this week was also involved in an online spat with UFC President Dana White, is thought to be angry over Hearn’s apparent capture of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

Canelo, 31, has won multiple world championships in four weight classes and is widely considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters of his generation.

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Ogunsakin, Mubarak hit finals at Sapetro Futures Tennis | The Guardian Nigeria News

Tennis

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October 1, 2021

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Ogunsakin, Mubarak hit finals at Sapetro Futures Tennis | The Guardian Nigeria News

Ohunene in action at the Sapetro Futures Tennis Championship holding at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club

Nigeria’s brightest future tennis stars, Seun Ogunsakin and Ganiyu Mubarak put up some very commanding performance in their semifinal matches to reach the finals of the Sapetro Futures Tennis Championship taking place at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club.

Ogunsakin, the top seed in the boys 14s, dismissed Kehinde Lawal from Lagos with consistent and well place groundstrokes, which completely overwhelmed his opponent.

It was a similar story in the semifinals between boys 16 top seed, Ganiyu Mubarak from Oyo State, and Gabriel Inyang from Lagos. Mubarak absorbed all the hard forehand strokes from Inyang with his admirable defensive skills to prevail 9-0.

Nene Yakubu, 13, met all expectations by beating former ITA Junior Tennis Circuit girls 14s champion, Salamatu Haruna from Abuja, 9-2.

Yakubu will be up against Success Ogunjobi, who beat her Ekiti State team mate, Faith Adewusi, 9-7.

In other semifinal matches, Khadijat Mohammed from Abuja beat teammate, Mary Azi to qualify for the girls 14s final where she will meet Mary Iorlumun from Benue.

Seyi Ogunsakin overcame Ibrahim Wadzani from Benue, 9-3, in the boys 12s and will take on Onyekachi Ogumjiofor from Oyo State in the finals. Ogumjiofor eliminated David Edwards in the second semifinal by the same score.

The tournament ends today with a grand finale, which will have Senator Daisy Danjuma, Executive Vice Chairman of South Atlantic Petroleum as Guest of Honour.