Why Ruiz could be stripped of IBF belt

Reigning World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organisation heavyweight champion, 

Andy Ruiz, Jr, could be stripped of one of his world titles if his rematch with Anthony Joshua goes ahead.
The Mexican-American boxer shocked the British heavyweight in June this year when he won with a seventh-round knockout.
The victory saw Ruiz take Joshua’s WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles at Madison Square Garden in New York.
An immediate rematch looks likely and promoter Eddie Hearn says it will be ‘finalised very soon’ for December 14 in the UK.
But World Boxing News reports that a spanner has been thrown into the works as Kubrat Pulev is the mandatory IBF challenger.
The Bulgarian is back from his ban for kissing a reporter after he completed a sexual harassment prevention course.
If the IBF call for that bout to happen, then it could either push the Joshua rematch, Ruiz could relinquish the belt or he could be stripped of it.
Bob Arum, founder and CEO of Top Rank, which co-promotes Pulev along with Epic Sports said: “We’ve been waiting patiently. The time is now.
“Andy Ruiz has an obligation to fight No1 mandatory IBF contender Kubrat Pulev.”
And Pulev himself added: “I was ready to face Anthony Joshua in November. Now I’m eager to challenge Andy Ruiz.
“I will fight Ruiz anywhere in the world. Let’s make it happen.”
 ........................
Caption: Ruiz deals with Anthony Joshua, during their heavyweight clash in June this year.


 

Djokovic beats Federer in longest Wimbledon final

Novak Djokovic saved two championship points in Wimbledon's longest singles final to retain his title in a thrilling win over Roger Federer.

On a Centre Court, with an atmosphere that felt at times more akin to football than tennis, Djokovic won 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 13-12 (7-3).
As the clock ticked to four hours 57 minutes, Federer hit a ball high to hand the Serb victory.
The world number one has won 16 Grand Slams - and four of the last five.
"It's quite unreal," Djokovic said after winning his fifth Wimbledon title.
Federer, who at 37 was chasing a record-equalling ninth Wimbledon singles title, added: "It was a great match, it was long, it had everything. Novak, congratulations, man, that was crazy."
A highly anticipated final between two of the sport's greats always had the potential to go the distance - and this did that and more.
With fans unable to watch at times, while leaping to their feet and chanting at others, a nerve-jangling final set turned this into a classic.
When Federer had two championship points at 8-7, Djokovic held his nerve to save both and then break back, eventually taking it to the new tie-break at 12-12.
The Serb - who for extended periods of the match had been second best - had won the match's previous two tie-breaks and he did so again, snatching victory when Federer scooped a return high.
The Swiss had been seeking to become the oldest Grand Slam champion of the Open era but instead found himself part of a different record as the match time surpassed Wimbledon's longest final - the four hours 48 minutes of play in 2008 as he lost to Rafael Nadal.
"Like similar to '08 maybe, I will look back at it and think, 'well, it's not that bad after all'. For now it hurts, and it should, like every loss does here at Wimbledon," Federer said.
"Epic ending, so close, so many moments. Yeah, I mean, sure there's similarities [between this and 2008]. I'm the loser both times, so that's the only similarity I see."
The incredible fifth set lasted more than two hours - you could have fitted in two of Saturday's women's singles finals in the time of that set alone.

Down in the stats - but up in the match. Anyone looking only at the stats for this match would simply not fathom how Djokovic came out on top.

The Serb trailed the Swiss on first-serve points won, winners made, aces, break points converted, games won and total points won and led him on double faults.
But he won the key points - and none more so than in the final set.
A diving volley winner at 5-5 and 15-30 prevented Federer establishing two break points, while having let the Swiss take an 8-7 lead with an opportunity to serve for the match, he immediately broke back.
Ignoring the increasingly vocal "Roger, Roger" chants from the partisan crowd and the cheers for some of the top seed's double faults, Djokovic surged 6-3 ahead in the tie-break.

Wimbledon 2019: Blood, sweat & tears - the best Wimbledon final ever?

There was more drama when the final point had to be replayed after a Hawk-Eye challenge, but Djokovic finally celebrated victory - albeit in muted fashion - when Federer sent a forehand off the frame of his racquet.
There was no wild jumping up and down, just a smile to himself as he walked to the net to shake hands with Federer after becoming the first man to win a Wimbledon singles final having been down match point since 1948 when Bob Falkenburg saved three match points and came back to beat John Bromwich.
An emotional Federer looked over towards his wife and children in his box during the trophy presentation, perhaps an acknowledgement that less than four weeks from his 38th birthday his opportunities for more Grand Slams may be limited.
While the match will be remembered by many for its thrills, Federer said: "I will try to forget. I had my chances, so did he. We played some great tennis."

How Federer won on paper but Djokovic won the match
Djokovic		Federer
74%	First-serve points won	79%
10	Aces	25
54	Winners	94
204	Total points won	218
29	Total games won	36

How the drama unfolded in fifth set

3hrs 25mins - A Djokovic backhand winner secures a break of serve for 4-2 lead
3hrs 31mins - Federer breaks straight back when Djokovic nets forehand
4hrs 7mins - Federer goes a break up at 8-7 with a forehand winner
4hrs 10mins - An ace brings up two championship points for Federer
4hrs 12mins - Djokovic saves both match points, then breaks back to level match
4hrs 39mins - Successful Federer Hawk-Eye challenge brings up break point, but Djokovic fends it off to lead 12-11
4hrs 47mins - Code violation for Djokovic for swinging his racquet towards umpire's chair
4hrs 48mins - First 12-12 final-set tie-break in Wimbledon singles begins
4hrs 55mins - Djokovic forehand brings up three championship points
4hrs 56mins - More drama as Djokovic successfully challenges a ball called out and point is replayed
4hrs 57mins - Federer skies a return and Djokovic wins his fifth Wimbledon title

Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer to retain his Wimbledon title in a final-set tie-break

Analysis

BBC Sport tennis commentator Andrew Castle: "What a treat this has been. The top seed triumphs and it can surprise no one. Novak Djokovic has beaten Roger Federer in the longest final in Wimbledon history. And he's beaten Roger Federer in all three Wimbledon finals that he has played him in. Roger Federer can look back with such pride on his effort."
Former British number one Tim Henman on BBC TV: "I am still in a slight daze on Roger Federer's behalf. Federer played all the tennis in the first four sets, he could have won all of them. And to then have two Championship points on his own serve, which is one of the most efficient. He tried to be bold on the second, but Novak Djokovic came up with the pass."
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra: "It was a rollercoaster ride. It was amazing to see a tie-break in the end. There was nothing in that match in the end. You have to compliment both players. I was glad I got to witness this."

Caption: Djokovic lifts the Wimbledon trophy for the fifth time in his career.

Source: BBC.

41st Senior CBN Tennis Open: Iloputa out as Babalola advances

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) junior tennis sensation, Godgift Timibra who is unseeded at the ongoing 41st CBN Senior Tennis Open created an upset on Wednesday when he sent

tournament's number nine seed Ikechukwu Iloputa packing with a 6-4, 6-4 scoreline.

Six-time winner, Abdulmumuni Babalola deployed his wealth of experience to outsmart Jebutu Emnanuel 6-1, 6-1 to advance to the quarter final as well. 

In another men's singles game, Nonso Madueke outclassed Leo Anthony 6-1, 6-0 while Christian Paul beat Oyo State's Adewale Samson 6-1, 6-3. 

Tournament's top seed, Sylvester Emmanuel triumphed over Tochukwu Eze, 6-4, 6-2 as number two seed Joseph Imeh stopped John Henry 6-3, 6-3.

In the ladies category, Oyinlomo Quadre, Bukola Olowu, tournament top seed, Blessing Samuel,  Blessing Anuna and number two seed, Christy Agugbom have also moved to the next stage of the competition. 

Meanwhile, women's single defending champion, Sarah Adegoke, won't defend the title due to other career engagements, thereby throwing the title open as a new champion must emerge this year.

On paper, it could be a two-horse race between Blessing Samuel who survived a scare from Omolade Aderemi and youngster Oyinlomo Quadre.

Caption:  Six-time winner, Babalola set to reclaim the CBN title he lost last year to Sylvester Emmanuel.

2019 Aiteo Cup Round of 16 fixtures

Sunday, June 23

Cynosure FC vs Niger Tornadoes (Makurdi)

Warri Wolves vs Rivers United (Yenagoa)

Lobi Stars vs Abia Warriors (Akure)

Smart City vs Shooting Stars (Ijebu-Ode)

Bendel Insurance vs El-Kanemi Warriors (Jos)

Monday, June 24

EFCC FC vs Aklosendi FC (Lokoja)

Plateau United vs Calabar Rovers

Kano Pillars vs Kwara United

Aiteo Cup: Round of 32 results

Shooting Stars 2 Katsina Utd  0
Warri Wolves   1 Ambassador 0
Smart City        3 Enyimba       2
Abia Warriors  2 Gateway       0
Rivers Utd        3 Akwa Utd    0
Lobi Stars         2 Rangers        0
EFCC FC           1 Sunshine       0
Kwara Utd        1 Crown FC     1
(Kwara win 5-4 on penalties)
Aklosendi FC    1 Nasarawa Utd 0
Bendel Ins.       4 Ekiti Utd         2
Tornadoes        1 Gombe Utd     0
El-Kanemi        3 PH City           0 (W/O)
Calabar Rovers 1 Wikki Tourists 1
(Rovers win 4-2 on penalties)

Aiteo Cup Round 32 fixtures

Wednesday June 19, Thursday June 20

Rangers vs Lobi  Stars (Minna)
Gateway vs Abia  Warriors (Warri)
Ambassador (KD) vs Warri Wolves (Lokoja)
Rivers Utd vs Akwa Utd (Enugu)
Delta Force vs Cynosure (EB) (Portharcourt)
Gombe Utd vs Niger Tornadoes (Lafia)
Katsina Utd vs Shooting Stars (Abuja)
Kogi Utd vs Plateau Utd (Abuja)
ABS FC vs Kano Pillars (Lokoja)
EFCC vs Sunshine Stars (Edo University Iyamho)
Smart City (LG) vs Enyimba (University of Benin)
Crown FC vs Kwara Utd (Osogbo)
Aklosendi vs Nasarawa Utd (Makurdi)
Portharcout City vs El Kanemi Warriors (Abuja)
Calabar Rovers vs Wikki Tourists (Makurdi)
Ekiti United vs Bendel Insurance (Lokoja)

 

Anthony Joshua needs to change team after Ruiz humiliation----George Groves

The boxing world is still shaken from Anthony Joshua’s shock loss on June 1 to Andy Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Garden.

AJ lost his WBO, IBF, IBO and WBA (super) heavyweight titles on the night, but he has already invoked his rematch clause that is set to take effect in November this year.

Forer super middleweight world champion George Groves stopped by talkSPORT On Friday with Jim White and discussed how although AJ has had quite an easy route to the top, he always stepped up when it mattered.

“Anthony Joshua, he’s someone I’ve always had a lot of time for and a lot of respect for because he has a lot of opportunities that he hasn’t had to work that hard for, but he’s then always stepped up to the mark and delivered.

“He’s had the backing of Matchroom, who pretty much build their boxing around him as of late and they’ve dominated not just here in the UK, but in the States [too] with their DAZN deal, they’re doing fantastic.
“Sky Sports, they’ve got behind him. But, he’s always stepped up to the plate, he can’t let people make excuses for him. Talk about his lack of experience, his lack of amateur pedigree – he’s an Olympic gold medallist, do you know what I mean? He’s a unified world champion.”

Groves went on to talk about how AJ might be too afraid to make changes to his team in the wake of the defeat, even though there has been calls from Lennox Lewis and Frank Warren for the Watford-born star to ditch trainer Rob McCracken.

“I personally feel he’s got to make changes to his team. Whether he does that or not, I’m not sure. I’m not sure if he’s worried about the public backlash if he does that or if he just doesn’t have that in him.

“You know, I’ve been in that situation before where I knew I had to make changes internally with the team I was working with but I was too afraid of doing that because if it doesn’t come off, that’ll be another reason why you haven’t succeeded.”

On the rematch with Ruiz – which could still be held in the UK or US – Saint George feels AJ had to take it and many of the rumours of why Joshua underperformed in the original encounter could be plausible.

“He has to take the rematch with Ruiz. He’s not going to have the time to get his eye back in with a warmup fight or anything like that – he has the beating of Ruiz. He certainly does.

“He didn’t look right on fight night, he didn’t look right in the build up. The rumours out there that he got concussed in sparring or he had a panic attack in the changing room – I feel they are all viable reasons.”



Caption: Anthony Joshua (right) being outpunched by Ruiz, during their June 1 showdown in US.

Source: talksport.com/sport/boxing