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Manager Insists Shakur Stevenson Is Bigger Fight for Tank Davis Than Vasiliy Lomachenko

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There are three fights that Shakur Stevenson wants, but he does not feel he is close to any of them.

On the wish list of the WBC lightweight champion are WBA ruler Gervonta “Tank” Davis, WBO belt holder Denys Berinchyk and IBF titlist Vasiliy Lomachenko.

Gifted southpaw Stevenson, 26, meets Artem Harutyunyan in the last fight of his existing deal with promoter Top Rank on July 7 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Amid speculation that Davis and Lomachenko could meet, Stevenson’s co-manager Josh Dubin has defended Stevenson’s position as a significant draw in boxing, having taken exception to a recent interview given by promoter Bob Arum, who said Lomachenko is a more lucrative option for Davis than Stevenson, adding that Loma is the bigger fight.

“If a fighter doesn’t bring to the table eyeballs, people who will pay to see the match, then it’s really tough to make a big match for them,” Arum said.

“That, in my opinion – and I manage Shakur with James Prince – that is a totally nonsensical reason why they are not pushing to get Shakur this fight,” said Dubin. “And Lomachenko three fights ago couldn’t fill [New York’s Madison Square] Garden, he had to fight in the small room in The Garden. Shakur has been consistently one of the highest-rated fighters on their roster anytime he fights on ESPN.

“The only time he didn’t pull one of the higher ratings is when they had him fight on a Thursday night and tried to convince us, because of the Formula One race, that was going to be the biggest event in the world. Shakur didn’t even want to do it. He said, ‘They’re not going to be able to fill the arena.’

“People can draw their own conclusions. I think it’s pretty obvious. In my opinion, they don’t want to give him a big fight because their contract is running out. But they have the power to say to Lomachenko, ‘Look, here’s the fight we’re offering you.’ They don’t do that. They could say to Tank Davis’ people, ‘Look, Shakur’s a bigger fight.’ And he is a bigger fight, in our opinion, because they’re two undefeated guys in their prime. They’re putting a 36-year-old fading Lomachenko out there against him.

“Shakur wants the biggest fights. And I understand they can’t force people to fight him, but to give the explanation that they’re not trying to negotiate a Tank Davis fight because Shakur isn’t the draw is just nonsense. Then, the guy who just beat [Emanuel] Navarrete, [Berinchyk], is on social media calling Shakur out. He’s making videos calling him out. That’s their fighter. They have options on that guy right now. Shakur just sits here and has to take it.

“They have the ability to help us make these fights, and they’re not doing it.”

Stevenson is one of the most gifted boxers in the sport and boasts a record of 21-0 (10 KOs). His last fight was a dull decision win over Edwin De Los Santos back in November, and he has also won titles at featherweight and junior lightweight.

“I think it’s pretty obvious why they’re not,” Dubin said of trying to land the Davis fight for Stevenson. “What incentive is there for him to want to keep fighting for them? They’re not fighting for him right now.

“[Arum]’s not saying anything bad, but I’m saying it’s just a lame reason, a lame excuse as to why they wouldn’t pursue a Tank Davis fight.

“There’s three fights that [Stevenson] wants: Lomachenko, Tank and Berinchyk. Those are the fights he wants. He’s been pleading for those fights, and they could make the Berinchyk fight at the snap of a finger right now, but the specific thing I’m responding to is Arum saying that in order to make a big fight you need someone that puts bums in seats or eyeballs on the screen. Shakur’s that guy.

“Just look at not only the TV ratings, but he has broken the ticket sales records for events at the United Center in Newark. He’s sold 10,000 seats there several times. His fight with Oscar Valdez sold around 10,000 tickets and maybe more in Vegas. In my opinion, it’s a ridiculous excuse.

“He consistently sells 10,000 tickets in Newark. He’s a huge draw in Newark. He’s a huge draw in Vegas. We know that. These aren’t things we’re giving our opinion on.”

Dubin argues that Stevenson is a bigger draw than Lomachenko. But while Stevenson failed to dazzle against De Los Santos, Lomachenko sizzled to beat George Kambosos in Australia.

“Fair enough,” Dubin countered. “The operative part of that is against Kambosos. And that’s another fight Shakur wanted. He didn’t get that.”

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BOXING

Shakur Stevenson Points Out Only Way Vasyl Lomachenko Can Beat Gervonta Davis

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Gervonta Davis and Shakur Steveson

Just two days ago analyst Stephen A. Smith was terrified of imagining Vasyl Lomachenko in the same ring as Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis. In his opinion, besides size, since the Ukrainian boxer lacked the required punch power to face ‘Tank,’ there was a great chance the boxer from Baltimore could floor ‘Hi-Tech.’ Meanwhile, thinking of an apt opponent for the WBA Lightweight champion, Smith rallied for Shakur Stevenson. But unlike Smith, Shakur feels Lomachenko still has a chance against Gervonta Davis!

While Vasyl Lomachenko is near the end of his prime, Gervonta Davis is about to enter it. Added to this, as Loma is “small,” Stephen A. Smith feels Davis will knock out the Ukrainian in a compelling fight. However, Shakur Stevenson feels it is worth highlighting the experience and IQ that Lomachenko has as a boxer.

As the two-time Olympic gold medalist is 35, Shakur feels “only one or two fights [are] left in his career probably.” For the same reason, he believes if Davis and Loma must share the ring, “the time is now.” But how does Shakur think the fight will play out? In his latest interview on FightHype, the boxer from Newark confidently stated, “I still think with Lomachenko’s skills and stuff, it will still be a good fight.”

“I don’t think that Lomachenko is a pushover even though he is older. With the experience he’s got and the knowledge, I think it could be a tremendous fight,” Shakur added, reasoning his answer. However, there is one thing that Lomachenko must possess. As we all have seen, Gervonta Davis is capable of throwing and landing breathtaking power. In that sense, Shakur feels Loma can potentially beat ‘Tank,’ if he can endure Davis’ shots.

“All is gonna boil down to can Lomachenko have punch resistance to what ‘Tank’ is throwing?” Shakur concluded. Meanwhile, after Bob Arum’s statements, the chances of Davis vs. Loma significantly increased.

Gervonta Davis might face Vasyl Lomachenko in four months

Although Stephen A. Smith feels Gervonts Davis vs. Shakur Stevenson makes more sense, Bob Arum understands that Davis vs. Lomachenko will be huge financially. After seeing Gervonta Davis KO Frank Martin in the eighth round, Arum announced, “We’re up for that fight [Davis]. Lomachenko’s up for that.” Additionally, the CEO of Top Rank claimed that Lomachenko vs. Davis “would produce more money than a fight with Shakur.”

In this connection, Arum also hinted at a date he had in mind. While there are many possibilities, as per BoxingScene, Davis vs. Loma could take place in November or December of this year. “Everything’s up in the air. There’s a lot of possibilities,” the 92-year-old said. With that said, do you think Vasyl Lomachenko can defeat Gervonta Davis?

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BOXING

Shakur Stevenson Predicts Gervonta Davis-Lomachenko After Being ‘Avoided’ By Both

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Shakur Stevenson will likely watch from the sidelines as Gervonta Davis and Vasiliy Lomachenko fight, despite chasing both for some time now.

The three men all hold belts at 135 just now and, following ‘Tank’s destructive stoppage of Frank Martin to retain his WBA belt, fans are expecting a unification.

It’s reported that his team are targetting Lomachenko and the IBF rather than Shakur’s WBC belt.

Speaking on FightHype, the three-weight world champ from Newark said he ‘doesn’t respect’ the fact that his two fellow lightweight champions are set to enter talks.

As for his verdict on the fight, he still believes that Lomachenko, 36, can put up a good fight against the younger man Davis who has the momentum.

Stevenson returns to the ring in his home city on July 6 against Artem Harutyunyan.

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CELEB NEWS

Tiger Woods’ Son Charlie Woods, 15, Qualifies for First USGA Championship: ‘I Want to Win’

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Charlie Woods’ golf career might just be getting started, but Tiger Woods’ son already has some major goals.

The 15-year-old golfer told reporters this week he hopes to one day win the U.S. Open after he works his way onto the PGA Tour.

Charlie, whom Woods shares with ex-wife Elin Nordegren, qualified for his first USGA Championship tournament on Wednesday. He shot a 1-under par on a 71-par course at the Eagle Trace Golf Club in Coral Springs, Fla., earning his first amateur tournament spot.

“The USGA means a lot to me,” Charlie said. “I want to win USGA Championships and hopefully one day the U.S. Open.”

Charlie has been competing on the golf course more frequently this year as he begins to find his footing in the sport his father, 48, has dominated and defined over much of the last three decades.

Woods’ son already proved his ambition earlier this year when he attempted to qualify for the U.S. Open tournament, which took place last weekend at the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.

But Charlie failed to make the U.S. Open, finishing tied for 61st in an April qualifying event.

Woods’ son has been slowly getting used to professional golf, competing alongside his father in the PNC Championship each of the last four years, according to the Associated Press.

“Any time I get a chance to spend time with my son, it’s always special,” Tiger told ESPN in 2022. “And to do it in a competitive forum, the last couple of years have been magical, and to be able to do it again, we’re looking forward to it.”

Charlie, who was born in 2009, has been around his father’s golf career since almost the day he was born. Less than a week after his birth, Charlie’s mother Elin brought him to watch Woods compete at the AT&T National tournament at Pebble Beach, California.

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CELEB NEWS

Charlie Woods wins U.S. Junior qualifier, advances to his first USGA championship

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Charlie Woods has qualified for his first USGA championship.

The 15-year-old son of Tiger Woods shot one-under 71 Wednesday at Eagle Trace Golf Club in Coral Springs, Fla., to qualify for the U.S. Junior Amateur, an event his father won three straight times from 1991-93.

The championship is July 22-27 at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Township, Mich., where his father also has history. There will be 264 players in the field, with the top 64 advancing to match play after two stroke-play qualifying rounds.
Charlie was medalist in South Florida, topping 85 other players in the qualifier. He started on the 10th hole and opened with a bogey and a double bogey to quickly get to three over par, then made five birdies and one bogey over the remaining 16 holes for his 71. Matthew Marigliano (72), Tristan Wieland (73) and Neil Kulkami (73) were the other three players to advance from Eagle Trace.

“I didn’t play great my first two holes, but I played really good for the last 16,” Woods said. “I just told myself not to make any more bogeys or doubles and I took advantage of some nice birdie looks when I had them. Putting was my biggest strength today. I made a lot of putts when I needed to.”

Woods had mostly played in local and regional competitions until recently. He participated in the Notah Begay III National Championship late last year and has played in two AJGA events in the last few months, finishing tied for 32nd and tied for 28th respectively.

Now he’s qualified for the championship that started his father’s run of six consecutive USGA wins, capturing the U.S. Junior in 1991, 1992 and 1993, then the U.S. Amateur in 1994, 1995 and 1996. Tiger was 15 when he won the first U.S. Junior in 1991, the same age as Charlie now.

“The USGA means a lot to me,” Charlie said. “I want to win USGA championships and hopefully one day the U.S. Open.”

Just last week father and son were together at Pinehurst, helping Tiger with preparations for the U.S. Open, where he eventually missed the cut.

Oakland Hills, among other big events, hosted the 2004 Ryder Cup where U.S. captain Hal Sutton infamously decided to pair Woods and Phil Mickelson in a partnership of the world’s two best players at the time. Woods and Mickelson lost both matches together, the first against Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington, the second against Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood.

Captained by Bernhard Langer, Europe dominated the week from beginning to end and won 18.5 to 9.5. Sutton was mostly crucified.

Tiger also played in the 1996 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills as an amateur and shot 76-69-77-72 to tie for 82nd place. The next month he won his third straight U.S. Amateur then turned professional shortly thereafter.

He did not play in the 2008 PGA Championship at Oakland Hills when Padraig Harrington won. Woods had just had reconstructive surgery to fix a damaged ACL, which was prominent during his historic U.S. Open victory earlier that summer at Torrey Pines.

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CELEB NEWS

Fans Have “Full Body Chills” After Learning About Simone Biles Big Career News Ahead of the Olympics

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Simone Biles

Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, one incredible athlete is looking at her life and everything it took to get to where she is today.

As the most decorated gymnast in history, Simone Biles is famous for winning seven Olympic medals throughout her career in the sport. She is also well-known for choosing to withdraw from competing in the middle of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in July 2021, where she was considered the one to beat for the all-around gold medal. At the time, she cited that her choice to step back came from “the twisties,” where she experienced a loss of body awareness while performing her gymnastic moves while in the air. This led her on a journey that involved prioritizing her mental health, and making her re-think her choice to return to the sport.

Today, Simone is currently gearing up to compete in the 2024 Olympic Team Trials, and we’ll know soon if she’s headed to Paris. But she’s also getting ready to release her first-ever Netflix docuseries titled Simone Biles Rising.

“She’s the greatest in the world. She’s also human,” read the caption on June 19 Instagram promoting the series. “SIMONE BILES RISING, a Netflix sports series documenting one of the most powerful comebacks in history, premieres July 17.”

Upon learning the news of Simone’s latest venture, fans couldn’t hold back their excitement to see her on their screens in a new way.

“Human first. Athlete second. Doing this for herself 🤍,” one person wrote in the comments. “Full body chills into actual tears 😭. YOU GO GIRL!” another penned. “I am so thankful I am alive during her reign! Truly NO ONE like her!” a different follower added.

As for how Simone feels about her road to going back to the Olympics, she said it succinctly at the end of the trailer, which was posted on YouTube. “I wanted to quit like 500,000 times, and I would have if it weren’t for my people,” she stated. “I feel very grateful I get to write my own ending.”

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CELEB NEWS

Simone Biles vs Shilese Jones at US Olympic Gymnastics Trials: Tickets, When, Where, & How to Watch?

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Simone Biles will continue to redefine the limits of gymnastics,” predicts one commentator, as the US Olympic Gymnastics Trials approach. The 2024 Olympics gymnastics qualification season will start on June 27 at the trials in Minneapolis. Gymnasts from around the nation will gather to prove who has what it takes to represent the USA. The highly anticipated event will showcase Simone Biles’ unparalleled skill and poise, as well as Shilese Jones’ impressive talent and determination.

Both gymnasts are set to deliver stunning performances as they embody the spirit of competition and excellence that defines the Olympic Games. The event, headlined by gymnasts like Simone Biles, Shilese Jones, Fred Richards, and Brody Malone, promises to be as thrilling as the Summer Games in Paris itself. Here is everything you need to know to witness the trials’ magic.

Simone Biles to take on Shilese Jones: Who has the upper hand? 

Gymnastics in the USA have become synonymous with Simone Biles. During the Core Hydration Classics earlier this year, Biles swept the all-around title with a score of 59.500. This kept her in a two-point lead from the first runner-up, Shilese Jones. Biles participated in all four events, with her highest being 15.600 on the vaults and 14.800 on floor exercise.

At the Xfinity games, she won the gold medal at all events and became the first gymnast to win nine all-around titles. Her improved Yurchenko double-like vault, and the triple twisting double back tuck make her one of the most technically skilled gymnasts on the mat this year. However, Shilese Jones, the 2023 AA bronze medallist, faced some hiccups.

After a successful Classics where she won the uneven bars, Jones was forced to withdraw from the Xfinity games due to a shoulder injury. It was so bad, that Jones reported it was hard to move her arm at all. Shilese Jones stated, “Unfortunately, I won’t be participating in the Xfinity Championships this year. With Paris as my ultimate focus, it’s best for me to prioritize recovery and resting my shoulder this weekend.“

She also mentioned, “Both the medical team and I are confident this is the right decision to ensure I’m at full strength for Trials“. She further added that she was excited to support her fellow athletes and teammates that weekend, mentioning that she had petitioned to compete in the trials and had been approved. Though Biles is the natural favorite to make the first spot on the Olympic team, Jones is expected to be a close second.

How to witness the trials?

To catch the highly anticipated showdown between Simone Biles and Shilese Jones, mark your calendars for June 27, 2024. The 2024 US Olympic team trials for gymnastics is scheduled between 27th and 30th June. It will be held at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The event is expected to be one of the marquee events of this year before the Olympics itself. The competition will start every day from 6:30 pm ET.

US Olympic Gymnastics Trials: Know where to get the ticket 

The tickets for the US Olympic team trials for gymnastics are already available. Viewers can purchase tickets for each session online at the official US Gymnastics website or directly at the Target Center box office. They can be bought together for all days or separately for each. For each day, the prices are $375. The cheapest are the men’s finals at $40 and women’s finals at $325. Those only interested in the finals may purchase tickets for just the 3rd and 4th days, which are the 29th and 30th of June.

Where to watch the US Olympic Gymnastics Trials?

The US Olympic Gymnastics Trials promise to showcase electrifying talent. The thrilling match between Simone Biles and Shilese Jones can be seen across wide networks of interest. On Thursday, the 27th, Men’s Day 1 can be watched on USA Network and Peacock between 6:30 pm-9 pm. Women’s Day 1 can be viewed on Peacock from 7: 30 to 8 PM ET on Friday the 28 and on NBC from 8 to 10 PM ET.

For Men’s Day 2, scheduled for June 29th, the streaming will continue through NBC and Peacock TV from 3 to 6 PM Eastern Time. Women’s Day 2 events are scheduled for June 30th, airing from 8 to 8:30 PM ET on Peacock, and from 8:30 to 11 PM ET on both NBC and Peacock. You can stream these matches live on Peacock, NBC.com, NBCOlympics.com, NBC Sports, and the NBC app.

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“I FEEL VERY GRATEFUL I GET TO WRITE MY OWN ENDING”: SIMONE BILES DISCUSSES SPECTACULAR OLYMPIC COMEBACK IN NEW DOCUMENTARY

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USA gymnast icon Simone Biles has opened up about her comeback and is ready to return to the spotlight at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

In the trailer of Simone Biles Rising, a new documentary by Netflix in association with Olympic Channel, the four-time Olympic champion discusses her journey and her anticipation to return.

Biles competed at Tokyo 2020 held in 2021 but withdrew from most events, openly citing mental health concerns. But now, after a three-year journey which included time away from the sport, she is preparing for the upcoming USA Olympic Gymnastics Team Trials (27-30 June) as she aims to compete at her third Olympic Games at Paris*.

Biles said, “I wanted to quit like 500,000 times and I would have if it weren’t for my people. I knew it would be a long journey, but to me, it wasn’t done. I’m going for another Olympic run, I never thought I’d be at this phase still doing it and I feel very grateful; I get to write my own ending.”

The two-part docuseries will premiere on Wednesday 17 July.

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BOXING

Roy Jones Jr Reveals ‘Problem’ Anthony Joshua Has In Tyson Fury Fight: “People Don’t Realise”

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Anthony Joshua

There is still plenty of clamour to see Anthony Joshua versus Tyson Fury.

This all-British heavyweight contest has been talked about for several years given both men are huge stars of the sport who have accomplished plenty.

Fury was the long-reining WBC heavyweight champion until coming up against the might of Oleksandr Usyk in May. That historic undisputed contest saw ‘The Gypsy King’ take his first ever loss after a close contest which was decided by him being given a 10 count in the ninth round. Although he rallied, it wasn’t enough to swing the cards in his favour.

Usyk has of course also beaten Joshua, the first time in 2021 to relieve him of his IBF, WBA and WBO world titles and then again in a rematch the following year which saw him successfully defend his unified status.

Since then Joshua has recaptured some of the impressive knockout form of his early career with a trio of stoppage victories against Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou.

As such plenty of fans still hope to see the two Brits coming together in the ring at some point before retirement. Ahead of that, multi-weight great Roy Jones Jr has been speaking to Betway and making his prediction for what might happen. Despite ‘AJ’s run of early finishes, he can’t see it happening against Fury.

Next up for Fury is a rematch with Usyk on December 21 while it is expected that Joshua will return in September this year with an opponent yet to be announced but Daniel Dubois or Zhilei Zhang likely.

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Anthony Joshua Warns Rival “I’ll Use What You Said About Me As Fuel When We Fight”

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Anthony Joshua is reportedly on the cusp of announcing his next fight.

‘AJ’ has very much got himself back into the upper echelons of the heavyweight division after a couple of difficult years. He managed to rebuild well after the first loss of his career against Andy Ruiz Jr, starting with a successful 12-round shutout in the rematch.

After that, he defended his unified world champion status with a victory over Kubrat Pulev,

Then however he stepped into the ring with the now undisputed four-belt champion Oleksandr Usyk who, over the course of two back-to-back 12-round fights, handed Joshua two more defeats.

Since then Joshua has got back to his explosive best and won four fights on the bounce, three of them by stoppage against Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou.

Many people hope he one day fights Tyson Fury, despite ‘The Gypsy King’ also having recently lost to Usyk

Speaking to Jonathon Ross in a clip captured by Now That’s Entertainment23, Joshua spoke about harnessing all the insults Fury has sent his way over the years.

Fury is currently back in the gym ahead of his rematch with Usyk on December 21, while Joshua is expected to fight this summer against Daniel Dubois with the IBF world title potentially on the line.

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