Boxing fans treated to free curtain-raiser for main Riyadh Season event in California on Saturday

Boxers taking part in Saturday’s Riyadh Season Card bouts in Los Angeles were put through their paces on Wednesday evening. (Supplied/Riyadh Season)
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Boxers taking part in Saturday’s Riyadh Season Card bouts in Los Angeles were put through their paces on Wednesday evening. (Supplied/Riyadh Season)
Boxing fans treated to free curtain-raiser for main Riyadh Season event in California on Saturday
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Boxers taking part in Saturday’s Riyadh Season Card bouts in Los Angeles were put through their paces on Wednesday evening. (Supplied/Riyadh Season)
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Boxers taking part in Saturday’s Riyadh Season Card bouts in Los Angeles were put through their paces on Wednesday evening. (Supplied/Riyadh Season)
Boxers taking part in Saturday’s Riyadh Season Card bouts in Los Angeles were put through their paces on Wednesday evening. (Supplied/Riyadh Season)
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Boxers taking part in Saturday’s Riyadh Season Card bouts in Los Angeles were put through their paces on Wednesday evening. (Supplied/Riyadh Season)
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Updated 02 August 2024
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Boxing fans treated to free curtain-raiser for main Riyadh Season event in California on Saturday

Boxing fans treated to free curtain-raiser for main Riyadh Season event in California on Saturday
  • The crowd at Santa Monica Pier in LA on Wednesday night enjoys public training session followed by three warm-up fights
  • In the headline bout, Marc Castro defeats George Acosta, Shakhram Giyasov beats Miguel Parra, and Nathan Lugo triumphs against Ray Corona

LONDON: Ahead of the Riyadh Season boxing event in Los Angeles on Saturday, fight fans were treated to a free curtain-raiser on Wednesday night.

First the fighters who will duke it out at the weekend took part in a public workout session at Santa Monica Pier. Then the assembled crowd was treated to three bouts, featuring other boxers, to whet their appetites for the main event.

The headline bout featured Marc Castro against his American compatriot George Acosta. Castro won it in the seventh round on a technical decision, after an accidental clash of heads caused swelling above Acosta’s eye that prevented him from continuing.

In the other fights, Shakhram Giyasov from Uzbekistan defeated Miguel Parra from Mexico, and Nathan Lugo from the US beat fellow countryman Ray Corona.

Looking ahead to the eight-fight card on Saturday, which is the first Riyadh Season event to take place outside of Saudi Arabia, Terence Crawford will face off against Israil Madrimov for the WBA super welterweight title in the headline bout. Other fighters who will be in action include David Morrell, Isaac Cruz, Jared Anderson, Andy Ruiz and Jarrell Miller


Fenerbahce and Rangers win their openers in the revamped Europa League

Fenerbahce and Rangers win their openers in the revamped Europa League
Updated 26 September 2024
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Fenerbahce and Rangers win their openers in the revamped Europa League

Fenerbahce and Rangers win their openers in the revamped Europa League
  • Union defender Kevin Mac Allister received a red card in the 74th
  • In another early game, Rangers won 2-0 at Malmö

ISTANBUL: Fenerbahce opened the revamped Europa League with a 2-1 home win over Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise with both teams finishing the game with 10 men on Thursday.
Defender Çağlar Söyüncü opened the scoring for Jose Mourinho’s team in the 26th with a half-volley from close range and Christian Burgess’ own goal in the 82nd made it 2-0 for Fenerbahce. Ross Sykes scored in stoppage time for the visitors.
Union defender Kevin Mac Allister received a red card in the 74th and Fenerbahce substitute Bright Osayi-Samuel was sent off in the final minute.
Last season, Fenerbahce eliminated Union in the round of 16 of the third-tier Conference League.
Europe’s second tier is a familiar turf for Mourinho, who led Manchester United to the 2017 title. He took the Fenerbahce job in the offseason. With Mourinho in charge, Roma lost the 2023 final to Sevilla after a penalty shootout.
In another early game, Rangers won 2-0 at Malmö.
The 2022 Europa League beaten finalist didn’t waste time. Nedim Bajrami scored in the opening minute. Ross McCausland scored in the second half.
Rangers lost in the 2022 final to Eintracht Frankfurt. The German club will be in action later Thursday, hosting Czech side Viktoria Plzeň.
In London, Tottenham’s game against Qarabag was delayed 35 minutes because of a travel disruption. Roma play Athletic Bilbao among other remaining late games.
As in the Champions League, the traditional group stage of the Europa League has been replaced with an expanded league phase with all 36 teams competing in a single standings.
Each Europa League team will play eight games against eight different opponents through Jan. 30.


PSG coach Luis Enrique says bigger Club World Cup ‘exciting’

PSG coach Luis Enrique says bigger Club World Cup ‘exciting’
Updated 26 September 2024
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PSG coach Luis Enrique says bigger Club World Cup ‘exciting’

PSG coach Luis Enrique says bigger Club World Cup ‘exciting’
  • “Once every four years there’s this new, extremely exciting competition. Everyone wants to go to the Club World Cup,” he said
  • The 2025 Club World Cup will be held in the United States from June 15-July 13

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique on Thursday described the expanded Club World Cup, set to feature 32 teams next year, as an “exciting competition” while acknowledging the need to limit player workloads.
“Once every four years there’s this new, extremely exciting competition. Everyone wants to go to the Club World Cup,” he said, amid growing concern from players and coaches alike over the increasing number of fixtures.
The 2025 Club World Cup will be held in the United States from June 15-July 13, with 12 European clubs set to take part in a tournament that has only traditionally involved the six continental champions and host nation.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri warned earlier this month that leading players could go on strike over the number of games they’re being asked to play.
The Spain international is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering ligament damage to his right knee at the weekend.
“Of course those involved must speak,” said Luis Enrique.
“I understand and I agree that the calendar is very busy, particularly that of Manchester City. Ours is less so because we have two fewer teams in our league and therefore four fewer matches.”
“A less hectic calendar would favor everyone,” he added.


PFL announce stacked card for ‘Battle of the Giants’ in Riyadh

PFL announce stacked card for ‘Battle of the Giants’ in Riyadh
Updated 26 September 2024
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PFL announce stacked card for ‘Battle of the Giants’ in Riyadh

PFL announce stacked card for ‘Battle of the Giants’ in Riyadh
  • Switzerland’s Husein Kadimagomaev will face Germany’s Zafar Mohsen in a featherweight match-up
  • Saudi Mostafa Nada takes on Egypt’s Ahmed Sami in a middleweight bout on the early card

RIYADH: Featherweights Husein Kadimagomaev of Switzerland and Germany’s Zafar Mohsen top the bill in a stacked card for the Professional Fighters League “Battle of the Giants” in Riyadh on Oct. 19.

Kadimagomaev enters the bout with an 11-1 record after an amateur record of 12-0, which has put him on the radar as one of the hottest prospects at featherweight. His professional career record includes six wins by knockout, and four by submission.

Meanwhile Afghanistan-born, Germany-based knockout artist Mohsen has had an accomplished career in Europe with his last three wins decided by guillotine, doctor’s stoppage, and a TKO.

The PFL event takes place at Mayadeen in Riyadh, with local fans getting a close look at Saudi mixed martial artist Mostafa Nada, who will take on Egypt’s Ahmed Sami in a middleweight contest on the early card.

Further regional interest will focus on the early card featherweight bout between the UAE’s Youssef Al Housani and the undefeated Morocco-born Taha “Atlas Lion” Bendaoud, who fights out of Las Vegas.

Alongside the confirmed main card, the full early card has been released, including a bantamweight match-up between Raufeon “Supa” Stots and Marcos Breno, who are joined by prospects and veterans from across the Americas, Europe and Asia taking part in PFL’s biggest event yet.

MMA superstar and former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou makes his highly anticipated return to the sport. “The Predator” faces PFL heavyweight champion Renan “Problema” Ferreira, who is 6 feet 8 inches tall, for the newly minted PFL Super Fights Championship Belt.

The co-main event will feature another world title fight — the Women’s Featherweight PFL Super Fight Championship. One of the greatest female MMA fighters of all time, Cris Cyborg, puts her legacy on the line when she squares off against PFL two-division champion Larissa Pacheco, who is out to prove she is the top women’s MMA fighter on the planet.

A third title fight of the night, the Bellator middleweight world championship, will be contested by undefeated Bellator middleweight world champion Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards. The pair met in 2023 at Bellator 299 where Edwards took the fight to the champion and landed a savage elbow, opening up his opponent’s forehead, only for the champion to respond with a TKO finish in the third round.

At lightweight, former Bellator featherweight world champion A. J. McKee will provide a tough test for Paul Hughes, when the man with the longest winning streak in Bellator history (18) faces Northern Irishman Hughes, who many consider to be the top lightweight prospect on the planet.

‘Battle of the Giants: Brace for Impact main card

Heavyweight: Francis Ngannou (17-3) vs. Renan Ferreira (13-3, 3 NC)

Women’s featherweight co-main event: Cris Cyborg (27-2, 1 NC) vs. Larissa Pacheco (23-4)

Bellator middleweight world title bout: Johnny Eblen (15-0) vs. Fabian Edwards (13-3)

Featherweight: Husein Kadimagomaev (11-1, 1 NC) vs. Zafar Mohsen (13-4)

Lightweight: A. J. McKee (22-1) vs. Paul Hughes (12-1)

 

‘Battle of the Giants: Brace for Impact’ early card

Bantamweight: Raufeon Stots (20-2) vs. Marcos Breno (15-3)

Lightweight: Makkasharip Zaynukov (15-4) vs. Dedrek Sanders (9-4)

Featherweight: Ibragim Ibragimov (7-0) vs. Nacho Campos (5-0)

Middleweight: Mostafa Nada (9-3) vs. Ahmed Sami (11-4-0, 1 NC)

Featherweight: Youssef Al Housani (4-1) vs. Taha Bendaoud (3-0)


A ‘duck’ — the ultimate failure in cricket

A ‘duck’ — the ultimate failure in cricket
Updated 26 September 2024
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A ‘duck’ — the ultimate failure in cricket

A ‘duck’ — the ultimate failure in cricket
  • The crushing disappointment that results in a long walk back to the pavilion

LONDON: One of cricket’s complexities for those unfamiliar with the game is its use of language.

Over the years everyday words have assumed a new identity in the hands of lawmakers and administrators. These words have been perpetuated by players, spectators and reporters to create a mystique. Their origins may appear to be unfathomable, even inexplicable. One of those words — duck — has developed as a perfect example of cricket’s penchant for euphemism.

Any player, at any level, in any format, lives in fear of the ignominy of being dismissed without scoring a single run off his or her own bat. In such an event it feels like a long walk back to the pavilion, a walk that is usually accompanied, at best, by complete silence and, at worst, by jeers and the sound of a quacking duck.

The sight of the dreaded zero against one’s name on the scoresheet is unwelcome for the batter, although the bowler and fielders will have a different perspective. It is believed that scorers in cricket’s early days referred to zero as a duck’s egg, because of its resemblance in shape. Around 1863, the shortened version was adopted. This is probably as well because, since that time, 10 different types of duck have evolved.

A dismissal off the first, second or third delivery faced, without scoring a run, is termed, respectively, a golden, silver or bronze duck. This evokes synonymy with Olympic-level awards, although there is no kudos associated with a duck compared with an Olympic medal.

However, a duck can sometimes invoke pathos. In his final Test match innings at The Oval, London, Donald Bradman required four runs to secure a Test average of 100. Allegedly with tears in his eyes after being applauded to the wicket, he missed the second delivery from leg spinner Eric Hollies and was bowled without scoring. His Test career average was stuck forever on 99.94.

Although Bradman’s dismissal is classed as a silver duck, the term is rarely used. The same applies to bronze duck, but golden duck is in common usage throughout the cricketing world. Numerous examples abound. In men’s Test match history, Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record for the most golden ducks, 14 out of his total of 33 ducks. 

Courtney Walsh of the West Indies achieved the highest number of ducks in Tests, 43, of which 10 were golden.

England’s recently retired fast bowling duo of Stuart Broad and James Anderson made 39 and 34 ducks in their Test careers, of which 19 were golden.

Unsurprisingly, 60 percent of players with the highest number of ducks are primarily bowlers. There are some exceptions: the Waugh brothers, Steve and Mark, who scored 52 centuries between them, notched up 22 and 19 ducks, respectively. Even the great Sachin Tendulkar suffered 14 in his 200 Tests. In Mark Waugh’s case he suffered four consecutive ducks against Sri Lanka in 1991/92. His teammates awarded him a temporary nickname — Audi — based on the car producer’s four-ring logo. If Waugh had suffered a fifth consecutive duck, the nickname Olympic awaited. It did not happen to him, but it has to three players.

When a player scores a duck in both innings of a match, it is termed a pair, as two zeros resemble a pair of spectacles. Graham Gooch, who went on to be England’s leading run scorer and captain, scored a pair in his first Test match and was dropped. Ian Botham, one of England’s greatest players, was dismissed for a pair at Lord’s in July 1981 when captaining the team. When he left the field after his second dismissal, I can vouch that it was to the sound of silence. How different to the acclaim he received at Headingley two weeks later after scoring an unbeaten 149 and having resigned the captaincy.

If both dismissals are off the first ball of the innings, the outcome is termed a king pair, a fate which has befallen 24 players in Test cricket. Surprisingly, the most recent was the prolific Travis Head of Australia against the West Indies at Brisbane in January 2024.

One of the most remarkable cricketers to have suffered a king pair must be Robert (Bob) Crisp for South Africa at Durban in February 1936 against Australia. Some 35 years ago I attended a football match between Colchester United and Aldershot FC. A conversation was struck up with the Colchester chairman who seemed more interested in talking about cricket than football. Trivial questions were swapped, culminating in him asking me if I knew the identity of the only person to have a Test match king pair, who had climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice, been awarded a Military Cross, a Distinguished Service Order and mentioned in dispatches for tank warfare. It was his father, Bob Crisp.

Another type of duck is a diamond, used to describe the unfortunate situation when the batter is dismissed without facing a ball. The name reflects its rarity. Angelo Mathews of Sri Lanka was timed out during an ODI World Cup match against Bangladesh last November. Although he was at the wicket to face his first delivery, he was denied the opportunity, a very rare event. A more likely diamond dismissal is where the new batter is the non-striker, is called for a run and fails to make ground at the other end, thus being run out.

A variation on diamond is titanium when the batter is dismissed for zero on the first ball of the team’s innings without facing a delivery, most likely run out. A royal duck occurs when a batter is dismissed without scoring from the first ball of their team’s innings. Conversely, a laughing duck occurs when a batter is dismissed for nought on the very last ball of the innings.

When I first started playing cricket I do not recall a duck having variations. Dates when the variations were introduced are hard to identify. It is reasonable to assume that some have been applied retrospectively to records. However, it remains the case that whenever a batter fails to score a run at any point in the innings, it is an unpalatable experience, whatever its name.


Adam Scott hopeful of ending 21 years without playing on a winning Presidents Cup team

Adam Scott hopeful of ending 21 years without playing on a winning Presidents Cup team
Updated 26 September 2024
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Adam Scott hopeful of ending 21 years without playing on a winning Presidents Cup team

Adam Scott hopeful of ending 21 years without playing on a winning Presidents Cup team
  • He was part of the tie in South Africa when he made his debut in 2003, and nine consecutive losses followed
  • The Americans are led by Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, the top two players in the world

MONTREAL: Adam Scott has never played on a winning team in the Presidents Cup, a tale as woeful as the Internationals’ losing streak against the Americans.

He has played in 49 matches and partnered with 16 players. He was part of the tie in South Africa when he made his debut in 2003, and nine consecutive losses followed. The 44-year-old Australian realizes he won’t get many more chances.

And yet his optimism is as high as ever.

“We are determined to go out there this year and change the script of this event,” Scott said. “Certainly, I want to improve my record in this event and I’m very determined. I don’t know how many more opportunities I’ll get, if any. So this is a big week for me.

“But I have a lot of belief in this team,” he said. “I can’t remember feeling so comfortable coming into a Presidents Cup.”

That’s been the vibe at Royal Montreal over three days of practice as the Internationals get ready for the opening session of fourballs Thursday against a US team that on paper looks to be as powerful as ever. The Americans are led by Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, the top two players in the world.

US captain Jim Furyk threw out a few wrinkles for the opening pairings.

He split up Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay for only the second time since they began playing these team cups in 2019. Schauffele is in the opening match with Tony Finau against Jason Day and Byeong Hun An, while Cantlay is the fifth and final match with Sam Burns against Hideki Matsuyama and Corey Conners, one of three Canadians on home soil.

Scott is in the second game out with Min Woo Lee, one of his many proteges, against Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala.

International captain Mike Weir has been preaching the present to his team. In some respects, they consider the start of these matches to be 2019, when Ernie Els spearheaded a change in logo to give a team from all over the world a new identity.

They had a great chance in Australia in 2019. They had a great rally at Quail Hollow in 2022 after getting in a big hole early with a team decimated by defections to LIV Golf.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys on the team, and they’re not remembering past defeats or anything like that,” Weir said.

Scott would not be one of those young guys, although he now is embracing the youth movement. He is one of only three players — Matsuyama (5) and Day (4) are the others — who have played more than twice in the Presidents Cup.

Nothing compares with 10 tries without winning.

“That’s a long stretch,” Finau said. “That’s tough luck at the end of the day. Adam is an incredible guy. As a competitor, I don’t feel bad for him. I’m sure he has some Presidents Cups where he had a winning record and the team loses. You can’t really solely blame it on Adam. These are team events.

“But at the end of the day I’m on the US side and for this week we don’t want any of those guys to win.”

That’s been the message for the Americans, who don’t want their own streak to end. They own a 12-1-1 record since the Presidents Cup began in 1994. But they are coming off another road loss to Europe in the Ryder Cup, and the risk being without a professional cup for the first time since 1998 if they don’t win at Montreal.

“You have to earn it,” Finau said. “It doesn’t matter how good our record is in the Presidents Cup. At some point they’re going to start winning some Presidents Cups. It’s going to happen. We’re not going to play this many and ... I obviously want the Americans to win the next 50. It’s not going to happen.

“They’re going to start (winning). We don’t want that team to be against us.”

The opening fourballs session is followed by five foursomes matches on Friday, a double session (four matches each) on Saturday, followed by the Sunday singles.

Scott is a strong voice given his experience, even though it’s mostly a losing experience. He is more determined that ever to deliver his best performance. He is running out of time.

“I started by having very lofty goals as a kid. My dreams were big, and I’ve achieved some of those but I haven’t achieved them all, including winning this event,” Scott said. “It’s the lack of accomplishing them that keeps me motivated at this point.”

What would a victory mean? Scott can’t even imagine.

“I think if I answered now,” he said, “I would probably underestimate the impact it would have if we were to get a win.”