LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — MMA fighter Conor McGregor switched to the boxing ring to make one of the richest professional fights in history possible and now Floyd Mayweather hints he might return the favour. Mayweather, who hasn’t fought since knocking out McGregor in that boxing match last year, teased fans Friday night by posting a picture on his Twitter page of himself wearing mixed martial arts gloves and standing in an UFC cage. “Billion Dollar […]
Sports — International
Golf: Fowler, DeChambeau top Phoenix leaderboard
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) – Rickie Fowler survived late miscues to share the lead at the US PGA Tour Phoenix Open alongside Bryson DeChambeau on Friday, as two-time defending champion Hideki Matsuyama withdrew injured. Fowler, ranked seventh in the world, got off to a blazing start at TPC Scottsdale with four birdies in his first six holes. He finished with seven birdies in his five-under 66 for 10-under 132. He pushed his lead to as […]
Football: Champions League need unites Liverpool and Tottenham
by Kieran CANNING Agence France-Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) – Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur will be separated by just two points, but united in one ambition when they meet at Anfield on Sunday with a top-four finish imperative for both. Failing to earn a Champions League place could stall the steady progress overseen by Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino. Klopp’s men hold a marginal advantage as they sit third, two points ahead of Spurs, who are fifth, […]
Family and football the driving forces for Pochettino
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) – Mauricio Pochettino tries to switch off from football and read a book or watch a film but the Tottenham Hotspur manager has confessed it is a losing battle as the ‘Beautiful Game’ is his life. The 45-year-old Argentinian — whose much-praised stewardship of Spurs with his policy of blooding young players and their free-flowing football has attracted apparent interest from Real Madrid — told the BBC it is just as well that […]
NBA: Magic’s Gordon headlines All-Star Slam Dunk field
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon headlines the field announced Thursday for the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk contest on February 17 in Los Angeles. Gordon, the 2016 runner-up, will be taking part for the third straight year. His challengers include first-time All-Star Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers, Larry Nance Jr. of the Los Angeles Lakers and rookie Dennis Smith Jr. of the Dallas Mavericks. All four have had their […]
Tesla cars to have own motor racing competition
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Tesla electric cars, which have a passionate following around the world, will soon have their own racing competition, a global sports organizer said on Thursday. Electric GT Holdings said the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), motorsports’ governing body, has approved circuit races for the Tesla Model S P100D. “The Championship is the first all-electric circuit race series in the world and heralds the dawn of a new electric future,” […]
NBA: Heat guard Dragic gets All-Star call in place of Love
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic will replace injured Cleveland Cavaliers big man Kevin Love in the NBA All-Star Game. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver named Dragic to replace love on Team LeBron — the team captained by Cavs superstar LeBron James in the new-format exhibition. They’ll be taking on a team captained by Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry in the All-Star Game in Los Angeles on February 18. The […]
NBA: Canaan has surgery after shocking broken ankle
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Phoenix reserve guard Isaiah Canaan had surgery Thursday to repair his broken left ankle, the Arizona Republic reported, and the Suns expect him to make a full recovery from a horrific injury that shocked the NBA. Suns General Manger Ryan McDonough told the newspaper Canaan should be fully fit for training camp next season. McDonough said he was with Canaan Thursday before his surgery and the player “was in […]
N. Korean athletes to fly South for Winter Olympics
by Hwang Sunghee Agence France-Presse SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korean skiers and skaters were due to arrive in the South Thursday to take part in the Pyeongchang Winter Games, setting the stage for a “peace Olympics” after a year of high tensions over Pyongyang’s nuclear programme. Eight days before the opening ceremony, 10 North Korean skiers and skaters were to fly in on a chartered Asiana Airlines plane, in a rare direct flight […]
NBA: Trade to Pistons ‘shocked’ Griffin
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Five-time All-Star Blake Griffin admitted he was “shocked” to be traded by the Los Angeles Clippers, but says he’s perfectly happy to have landed with the Detroit Pistons. “Shocked is a good way to put it,” Griffin said Wednesday as he was officially introduced by the Pistons. “I didn’t know anything. I pretty much found out when everybody else found out. It took me a second to realize everything’s changing… I […]
Gymnastics doc abused at least 265 women and girls, court told
by Nova Safo in Chicago and Jeff Kowalsky Agence France-Presse CHARLOTTE, United States (AFP) — The number of women and girls now known to have been abused by Larry Nassar has risen to 265, a Michigan judge told a final sentencing hearing Wednesday where the former USA Gymnastics doctor faced his accusers once again. At least 65 of Nassar’s victims were to speak out over several days at the last of three sentencing hearings for the disgraced doctor […]
NFL Super Bowl LII Preview: Will the Patriots continue the dynasty or will the Eagles fly high?
By: Norman Castro EBC Sports International New York Bureau Super Bowl LII will be contested this coming Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Defending champions, the New England Patriots look to solidify themselves as one of the best teams of all time. The Philadelphia Eagles look to make history and win their very first Super Bowl. Both riveting story lines, but which will prevail? While superstition and analytics can be skewed to make […]