Alberto Medina's goal gives El Tri victory over Senegal

Soccer superstar Alberto Medina has at least one souvenir from his trip to the United States. Medina scored four minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute Monday night, lifting Mexico to a 1-0 victory over Senegal and easing — for a few minutes, at least — concerns over El Tri's ability to finish. But the score should have been far more lopsided as Mexico squandered opportunities for at least four more goals, including shots by former Chicago Fire star Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez from within 5 yards.

Senegal, which failed to qualify for the first World Cup in Africa, had a few shots on goal but never really threatened. Drawn into Group A with host South Africa, France and Uruguay, Mexico is expected to get out of the first round. But its sloppiness in its first two games of its three-city U.S. tour is sure to concern coach Javier Aguirre.

Mexico looked a bit sharper than it did in Friday's sloppy 0-0 draw against Ecuador. But it still struggled to finish, squandering chances for at least three additional goals and looking out of sync defensively against a team that didn't qualify for next month's World Cup and seemed to have little interest in offense.

The addition of Medina and Blanco in the 56th minute immediately energized El Tri — and not just because of the loud cheers and whistles in honor of Blanco's homecoming. In the 60th minute, Andres Guardado, also a second-half substitute, sent a long pass upfield that was clearly going to outpace Medina. Senegal goalkeeper Khadim Ndiaye came out to collect the ball but bobbled it and Medina, who'd never slowed down, collected the rebound. With Ndiaye on the ground and no one else close to the goal, Medina buried his shot into the far corner of the net, setting off raucous cheers from the sellout crowd of 60,610.

Hernandez, set to join Manchester United next season, had a chance to double the score a few minutes later, but duffed a wide-open pass from less than 5 yards out. Blanco had a point-blank shot in the 89th minute, but it sailed right into Ndiaye's arms. But Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre had reason to be a bit unsatisfied with the performance. El Tri had a bunch of scoring opportunities, and Medina particularly had several other chances. The one-goal win did the trick, but Mexico clearly could have done more.

"We missed a few [opportunities] in the last third of the field," Aguirre said. "We need to look at connecting short passes. In the great leagues you only have one opportunity and you need to score it."

For two-thirds of the soccer  match, Senegal goalkeeper Khadim Ndiaye did his best to keep his squad in contention. He was efficient coming off of his line to intercept a bunch of threats and had some key saves to try to silence Mexico's attack. In the 60th minute, Ndiaye nearly replicated his previous efforts when he disrupted Andres Guardado's deep send for Medina. But in this instance the ball popped out a bit from his gloves, and Medina found the far left netting for the 1-0 Mexico lead.

Just a few minutes before that play, former Chicago Fire midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco made what nearly proved to be a picture-perfect entrance. Blanco did not get the start, but to the pleasure of the Mexican faithful in Soldier Field, he came off the bench for a shade more than half an hour. Blanco and Medina came into the match in the 56th minute for Adolfo Bautista and Pablo Barrera, respectively. Less than 1 minute later, Blanco provided a crisp send to Medina. But Ndiaye came up with the clutch save to keep Mexico off the scoreboard.

Little did Ndiaye know that Mexico would amp up its attack and tally the first strike a few minutes later. Mexico wholeheartedly attacked from their right side, clearly the weaker portion of the pitch from Senegal's standpoint. But Senegal managed to hold things close for a bulk of the match.

"The goal here was to challenge Mexico and help Mexico prepare for the World Cup, and I felt that the boys stood up to Mexico and gave them a good challenge," Senegal head coach Joseph Marie Koto said. "Overall, I'm satisfied with the game."

In the net, Ndiaye made seven saves. Mexico goalkeeper Oscar Perez, on the other hand, only had to make three saves. Mexico now plays Angola on Thursday in Houston before heading home to host Chile, a fellow World Cup qualifier, at Azteca Stadium. El Tri then goes to Europe for friendlies against England, the Netherlands and Italy before opening against host South Africa on June 11.

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New York Giants Lawrence Taylor Accused Rape

Lawrence Taylor, the former NFL New York Giants linebacker whose quarterback-chasing exploits secured him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was arrested by police in the Suffern, N.Y., area early Thursday morning and charged with rape.

Authorities accused Lawrence Taylor of paying $300 for sex with a 16-year-old runaway from New York City. The alleged victim in the case, identified only by her initials during Taylor's arraignment Thursday, was accompanied to Taylor's hotel room by a man who later was arrested in New York, authorities said.

Lawrence Taylor was charged with third- degree rape -- a felony involving sex with a minor below the age of 17 -- and patronizing a prostitute in the third degree, a misdemeanor. The felony charge is punishable by up to four years in jail and the misdemeanor charge is punishable by up to a year in jail, authorities said at an afternoon news conference.

Ramapo Chief of Police Peter Brower said Lawrence Taylor was cooperative when police woke him up around 4 a.m. Taylor was arraigned Thursday on charges of third-degree rape and patronizing a prostitute.

"I'm not that important," Lawrence Taylor told a scrum of media after being released on $75,000 bail. His attorney, Arthur Aidala, said Taylor is a "loving family man" who did not have sex with the teenager. "My client did not have sex with anybody," Atty. Arthur Aidala said. "Lawrence Taylor did not rape anybody."

Brower would not comment on whether Taylor knew the girl's age; third-degree rape is a charge levied when the victim is under the age of consent, which is 17 in New York. "Ignorance is not an excuse to an individual's age," Brower said.

Police said the girl was reported missing by her family in March and had been staying with a 36-year-old parolee, Rasheed Davis, in the Bronx. The two met a few weeks ago at a Bronx bus stop, NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said.

"He chats her up. She explains she doesn't have a place to stay. He provides one," NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said.

A judge set bail for Lawrence Taylor at $75,000. was arrested in New York, authorities said. His attorney, Arthur Aidala, said at a news conference that Taylor "did not have sex with anybody," disputing an account by authorities that Taylor acknowledged to investigators that he paid for intercourse.

Lawrence Taylor had a highly publicized struggle with drug addiction and has had multiple legal run-ins since retiring from football.

A quick, fierce and athletic linebacker who redefined his position, Lawrence Taylor anchored the Giants' defense and led New York to Super Bowls titles in 1987 and 1991. He was selected to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

A 10-time Pro Bowler, he was the NFL Most Valuable Player in 1986 and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1981, 1982 and 1986. He recorded 132½ sacks, which doesn't included his 9 sacks in 1981 when the statistic wasn't official.

In 2001, Lawrence Taylor was convicted of possessing drug paraphernalia in New Jersey. The conviction stemmed from the September 1998 discovery in a hotel room of a butane torch and other materials commonly used to smoke crack.

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Suns Team Owner On The Way To Immigration Law

We all know that politics and basketball don't mix but they sometimes collide. On this day, the MVP of the Phoenix Suns isn't Amar'e Stoudemire or Steve Nash, but team owner Robert Sarver, with an assist from General Manager Steve Kerr. They saw a political freight train heading right toward them and - rather than veer out of the way - accelerated full-speed right into it.

That doesn't happen often in the pro game. Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in professional baseball was a collision of sports and politics. Muhammad Ali's legal fight against the draft was a collision. Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising a Black-power salute during the playing of the national anthem in the 1968 Olympics was a collision.

And now, in a way no one saw coming, Senate Bill 1070, the state's new immigration-enforcement law, has collided head-on with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Phoenix Suns. The Diamondbacks tried to avoid it. Owner Ken Kendrick, a major contributor to Republican causes, was surprised by the protesters who greeted his team outside ballparks. Kendrick issued a mild-mannered statement saying that he personally disagreed with the law, then sent out his public-relations flacks to spread the word about sports not really having anything to do with politics and that people upset with SB 1070 shouldn't take it out on his franchise.

The team, for the most part, was silent, allowing the baseball players association to issue a tough statement against the law. The Phoenix Suns and their owner, Sarver, took a slightly different tack. Instead of trying to avoid a collision, Sarver steered his high-rolling franchise right onto the controversy.

He sought and received unanimous support from his players for them to wear their "Los Suns" jerseys for Game 2 on Wednesday. He told The Arizona Republic that the new immigration law was not "the right way to handle the immigration problem, Number 1. Number 2, as I read through the bill, it felt to me a little bit like it was mean-spirited, and I personally just don't agree with it."

Team General Manager Steve Kerr added, "It's hard to imagine in this country that we have to produce papers. It rings up images of Nazi Germany. We understand that the intentions of the law are not for that to happen, but you have to be very, very careful. . . . It's important that everyone in our state and nation understands this is an issue that needs to be explored. So, we're trying to expose it."

According to some sports analysts, a reader calling himself "chatmandu" wrote, "Steve Nash can move back to Canada, and the Suns can go play for Mexico City. ... I am burning all my Suns stuff in effigy." Reader "tonyman10" added, "I attended the first ever Suns game at the Madhouse on McDowell and became an avid fan. . . . I've attended at least a dozen games each year and watch every other one on TV. That all ended today. . . . " Others, like "Bob46" praised the team, saying, "Sometimes you just have to do the right thing, regardless of the consequences. Thank you, Robert Sarver and Suns players. ..."

Whether you agree with the Suns' decision or not, you should be proud of them for taking a stand and for doing so the right way. No wavering. No dancing around the issues. It took guts. It showed heart. In basketball terms, they drove straight down the lane and jammed it.

Or as the "voice of the Suns," Al McCoy, might say, "It's a wham, bam, slam!"

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Red Sox Wins Over Angels 5-1

It's like a rite of passage for the Angels' top young relievers, a baptism by Fenway fire. It happened here to Troy Percival, to Brendan Donnelly, to Scot Shields, to Francisco Rodriguez, and it happened Tuesday night to Kevin Jepsen, whose rare meltdown during a four-run eighth inning led to the Angels' 5-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

Kevin Jepsen had been the team's best reliever this season, with a 1.64 earned-run average in 14 games, but the right-hander walked as many batters in the eighth inning Tuesday night — three — as he had all baseball season. That set the table for Jeremy Hermida's tiebreaking, opposite-field, three-run double, a fly ball that left fielder Juan Rivera appeared to have a chance of catching after a long run to the corner before pulling up in front of the wall.

Jeremy Hermida's hit laid to waste a superb start by Angels right-hander Ervin Santana, who gave up one run and seven hits in 7 innings, and sent the Angels to their fifth straight loss and their first 0-5 start to a trip since 2003.

"Right now," Manager Mike Scioscia said, "it stings."

The Angels were stymied by Boston left-hander Jon Lester, who gave up one run and five hits in eight innings, but with the score tied, 1-1, they loaded the bases in the eighth when Howie Kendrick and Mike Napoli singled, Brandon Wood bunted the runners up, and Erick Aybar walked.

But Jon Lester, with his 120th pitch, got Bobby Abreu to ground to second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who tagged Aybar and, as he fell to the ground, shoveled a 20-foot toss to first for an inning-ending double play. walked Kevin JepsenVictor Martinez and Kevin Youkilis to open the bottom of the eighth, and J.D. Drew singled to left to load the bases.

It appeared Kevin Jepsen might escape the jam when David Ortiz, with the infield in, grounded sharply to Howie Kendrick. The second baseman threw home for the force, and Mike Napoli fired to first for a rare 4-2-3 double play.

But Adrian Beltre walked on four pitches to load the bases, and Hermida, who bats left-handed, lofted a fly ball to left. Juan Rivera, who was shaded toward the gap, about 95 feet off the line, had a bead on the ball but turned his back at the last second to play it off the wall. The ball bounced a foot in front of the wall, scoring three runs for a 4-1 lead. Mike Lowell's RBI double off Scot Shields made it 5-1.

"I ran hard, I thought the ball was going to hit the wall, I got real close, but I was too far toward the gap." Juan Rivera said.

The seats down the line in Fenway Park block the view of the corner from the third base dugout, and neither Scioscia nor bench coach Ron Roenicke, who positions the outfielders, saw a replay.

"It's hard because the wall is so high, if the ball is going to hit off the wall you want to stay off of it," Ron Roenicke said. And because the wall is only 310 feet from home, "you don't know how much to pinch in that corner."

Any time there's a fly ball to left, "You kind of hold your breath,I had trouble finding the strike zone with all three pitches, and that limited me to the fastball, I tried to battle, but you put yourself in a bad position when you walk the first batter. That gives them the upper hand." Kevin Jepsen said, which is exactly what the Angels probably did while Jepsen was pitching. Of his 32 pitches, 13 were strikes. His ERA ballooned to 4.63.

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Mayweather vs Pacquiao: The Next Bout After Mosley?

You could literally see some of these boxing fighters getting excited just thinking about Pacquiao vs. Maywweather. This fight has the potential to be the superfight of the decade. For the integrity of the sport of boxing, for the natural evolution and future of our great sport, CALL Mayweather out and publicly make him take this fight, force Floyd Mayweather to get off his pompous, handpicking ass, and make him fight the fight you and everyone wants to see – Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. If you let Floyd Mayweather hide behind his excuses to duck Manny Pacquiao you are all complicit in perpetrating the fraud known as Floyd Mayweather.

Boxing fans who were ecstatic before at the potential of a Pacquiao vs. Mayweather super-fight, are now even more eager than ever to witness the history-making boxing event. Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are not only among the elite fighters between 135-147 pounds they are the best. This would be a far cry from the young hungry lion vs. the over-the-hill veteran that boxing assuredly produces on a yearly basis dressed neatly as drama. Nor would it be a fighter getting the experience he needs to compete at the next level. This would be a prime time boxer against prime time puncher.

Both fighters fully understand their bodies, their training, their skill levels, their range, the positives and negatives of their fight styles. They sit atop everything that makes their particular fight styles possible. Manny Pacquiao with his grit, power, thirst and passion. Floyd Mayweather with his speed, defense, boxing mind and zeal. What more could they attain to make the fight any better?

We are typically force-fed excuses when significant matches aren’t made. Its either he hasn’t fought anyone significant or that they aren’t a big enough name yet. On occasion, fighters have even taken stealthy positions behind their management/promoters to avoid fighters. That wouldn’t be the case here. Everything that they will possibly ever know about boxing they’ve learned and committed to memory. The time is primed for both fighters.

For Mayweather and Pacquiao there isn’t a higher level of training, another grade of boxing knowledge or frankly a bigger payday. Unlike many other fights this is that rare fight where money won’t be a hurdle. There will be millions upon millions to be carved up. Venues from Las Angeles to Las Vegas to New York to the Philippines would bid often and early. 

 

Stadiums, arenas, reservations and casinos alike would campaign for the opportunity to be the host site. Sponsorship dollars from the world’s largest and most lucrative corporations would pour in. Television and radio stations would line up for interviews. Media outlets from the four corners of the world would request media credentials. I would estimate the payday to be $25-35 million each!

According to Manny Pacquiao’s official website, he is “willing to consider” taking a blood test 14 days before the fight, as Floyd Mayweather insisted last year (Pacquiao previously refused to bend on the 24-day testing used at the Olympics). If Manny Pacquiao concedes to 14 days, it’s up to Mayweather to make this happen. He’d look like a giant fraud if he changed his demands to a week or the day of the fight.

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Eminem Mocks Pitsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger

 "F**k that, I'd rather turn this club into a bar room brawl. Get as rowdy as Roethlisberger in a bathroom stall"  

That's a line from the classy new Eminem song, "Recovery", which is up for your review at the Sports Betting Unlimited (and very unsafe for young ears, it's worth noting). I'm sure NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is positively giddy with this tune hitting the airwaves in frequent rotation.

If you're scoring at home, we've now seen stories about Ben's mullet, his subsequent haircut, his slow merchandise sales, his sign being taken down at the zoo, and even one of his funded police dogs getting kicked off the force. And that's leaving out about a billion other stories about Ben Roethlisberger that I missed. But for those who cry "overkill" at blogs and media outlets for their coverage of the story, take a look at the most read stories on the Tribune Review's website today.

Three of the top 6, including the top 2overall, are on Pitsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger, and we're almost 2 months removed from the Milledgeville story. People may say they don't care about the story any more and want to move on (as do I - honestly), but actions speak louder than words - and actions are indicating that Big Ben is still the the dominant topic of the day in Pittsburgh.

The story of Ben Roethlisberger's sexual assault allegations has pretty much reached its logical terminus, now that he's been disciplined by the league and the Steelers have opted not to trade him. That doesn't mean that the drama has disappeared from the public consciousness. Indeed, the pop culture first responders have arrived to continue to riff on the salacious details.

Pitsburgh Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was accused of the sexual assault in early March, the second time he has face such an accusation in the past year. A college student alleged that the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback assaulted her at a Milledgeville, Ga. Nightclub.  

Ben Roethlisberger admitted to having "sexual contact" with his accuser, and reports claim that he "aggressively hit" on a bar patron and that the Steeler's bodyguards blocked access to the bathroom in which the assault allegedly took place. 

While Ben Roethlisberger will not face criminal charges, he still could face a suspension or other disciplinary measures from the NFL or Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers quarterback will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell later this week.

Pitsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger will now have to work hard to earn back the respect and trust of Steelers fans, and to live up to the leadership responsibilities we all expect of him. 

In the coming days Ben will meet with Commissioner Goodell to discuss his resolve to abide by the league's personal conduct standards. After consultation with the Commissioner, our organization will determine the next steps in this process.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Ben Roethlisberger for 6 games for violating the personal-conduct policy last week. A 20-year-old woman accused him in Georgia of sexual assault, but the local D.A. decided not to prosecute.

While Eminem is releasing a new album called "Recovery" the song referencing Ben Roethlisberger will not be included. The song was posted at a website co-founded by Eminem's manager.  

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Michael Jordan In Quail Hollow Championship Pro-Am

Reportedly spotted together less than a week ago, the 2 exquisite golf players Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan will go their separate ways for tomorrow’s Quail Hollow Championship pro-am. Michael Jordan opted to team with Fred Couples – a pairing that has its roots at last year’s Presidents Cup, when FredCouples made Michael Jordan a captain’s assistant for the team event at San Francisco’s Harding Park.

They’ll tee off at 12:18 p.m. Tomorrow. Tiger Woods has his usual 7:30 a.m. slot, pairing unknown. Tiger Woods and Micheal Jordan played the 2007 Quail Hollow pro-am together. Peyton Manning was one of tiger Woods’ partners last year.

“Michael and Fred are two great personalities, and I am positive the fans will enjoy interacting with both of them and watching them compete.” golf tournament chief Kym Hougham said and it certainly changes the likely nature of interaction had fans seen Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan together.

It’s been less than a month, remember, since Vanity Fair suggested a former NBA star now a professional golf player Michael Jordan helped nudge Tiger Woods into the multiple-mistress sex scandal that dominated tabloid headlines for weeks and has all but sunk his his marriage. Former Tiger Woods adviser Robert Merchant was quoted in the article as saying he told the golfer long ago to “stay away from that son of a (bleep)”.

According to RadarOnline.com, Michael Jordan spent last Tuesday and Wednesday at Isleworth playing golf with Tiger Woods. The Fred Couples also reportedly joined them, though the report that Couples played 36 holes with the duo in one day raises eyebrows.

Now, a golf player Michael Jordan who bought the Bobcats last month for $275 million, had hoped to be in Orlando on Wednesday for Game 5 of their playoff series. But after the Bobcats were swept by the Magic in four games in the franchise's first playoff appearance, Michael Jordan agreed to play.

It just had a different feel with Tiger Woods playing in an earlier group. "It's not as competitive,Freddie's totally relaxed and enjoying himself and so am I." Michael Jordan said. Micheal Jordan acknowledged he hasn't had as much contact with Woods since his sex scandal hit in November. The Quail Hollow marks Tiger Woods' first event since his return last month at the Masters.

"It's one of those things you can't cure in one moment, It's going to take some time. I think that's what he's been doing — at least from afar where I am. We haven't talked as much as we used to be because I think he's probably trying to get himself right. I'm all supportive of that." Michael Jordan added.

Michael Jordan signed autographs after nearly every hole of his up-and-down round that included some wayward drives early, but also a birdie putt on the fifth hole and driving the green on the par-4 13th.

"His golf game is great, In front of a lot of people it's harder. Of 30,000 people out here, 20,000 are watching Michael. There's a lot of pressure and they're all yelling at him to do this or do that. It's not too focused out there, but it's always fun to play with him." Couples said.

Michael Jordan has even been able to get Couples to buy a couple of season tickets, two of the 845 new orders the Bobcats have closed on as they build off Jordan-fueled excitement, according to team president Fred Whitfield.

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Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Seized

For UFC fans, his name was remarkable to all UFC fights, a worthwhile fighter and a great defender. However, an issue blown up to ruin his title – Tito Ortiz is among the most decorated and popular fighters in UFC/MMA history. He was the UFC's light heavyweight champion from 2000 to 2003 during the formative years of the sport's dominant promotion, making five title defenses before losing his belt to Randy Couture.

Ortiz, whose nickname is the “Huntington Beach Bad Boy”, is a former collegiate wrestler has been competing in MMA since 1997. He has been in a relationship with a porn star and entrepreneur Jenna Jameson since 2006, and she gave birth to twin boys in March 2009. After his career declined amid several injury problems, including major back surgery, Tito Ortiz left the UFC in 2008 in a bitter dispute with UFC President Dana White, his former manager. 

 

UFC and MMA fighter Tito Ortiz was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence Monday at the home he shares with Jenna Jameson. According to Police Lt. Mike Reynolds said Ortiz, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, was taken to the Huntington Beach jail and was released after posting $25,000 bail.

Reynolds said police can't make an arrest on suspicion of domestic violence unless there's a "visible injury," and the unnamed victim's injuries met that standard. Reynolds wouldn't elaborate, saying only that Ortiz and the victim have been "extremely cooperative".

Meanwhile, Jenna James go public through the help of TMZ about what happened last Monday; Wearing a wrap on her right elbow, Jenna told reporters Monday that Tito Ortiz had "lashed out" at her, resulting in her father calling 911 and Tito being arrested in Huntingon Beach, Calif., on domestic violence charges.

But after he was released on bail, a teary-eyed UFC warrior Tito Ortiz and his lawyer Chip Matthews held a press conference late Monday in Los Angeles and put the blame on Jenna Jameson.

"Jenna has been fighting a battle with OxyContin addiction for the past year. For Tito and her family this has been an uphill battle. Unfortunately this morning she had a relapse,Tito was trying to help her, she has threatened suicide before. Tito has done everything in his power to protect her privacy and the privacy of their children." Tito Ortiz's lawyer Chip Matthews said.

Jenna Jameson told TMZ, however, that Tito was violent - he "threw me into a bathtub" -- and that he's falsely accusing her of OxyContin addiction because he's "very, very desperate".

On the other hand, As news spread earlier today that UFC light heavyweight Tito Ortiz had been arrested for felony domestic assault against girlfriend Jenna Jameson, we knew it was only a matter of time before we'd hear from White.

Talking to TMZ.com, UFC President Dana White underscored the seriousness of the charges, saying, "Other than going on a killing spree, being accused of domestic violence is the worst thing you can have going for you." Moreover, Dana White remarked that the UFC could release the fighter from the organization for the arrest, saying, "We're gonna be fair, but we could cut him."

 

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Who R U Picking? Mayweather vs Mosley Fight

The most exciting boxing bout between undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Sugar Shane Mosley is scheduled on Saturday May 1, 2010. For Floyd Mayweather Jr. his fight against Shane Mosley next month on May 1st might just well be the pinnacle of his career. It’s sad to say, but I think this could be the final really large mega fight of Mayweather’s career. He’s not likely to face Manny Pacquiao in the near future or every because of Mayweather’s demands that Pacquiao take the Olympic style random blood tests, which Pacquiao is totally against and not likely to give into to satisfy Mayweather.

Without a fight against Manny Pacquiao taking place, there really isn’t anyone else with a big enough name to make a huge fight with Mayweather. Heck, it took Mayweather 14 years of his career before he finally faced Mosley. Mayweather probably won’t be taking on any other dangerous fighter like Mosley for the remainder of his career. There really isn’t any big names in the welterweight other than Mayweather, Mosley and Pacquiao. 

The Undercards

Before the fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Sugar Shane Mosley happens there will be several top boxing contenders who will show us their skills inside the ring. In the welterweight division, unbeaten Saul Alvarez, 19 years old will fight against the veteran contender Jose Miguel Cotto, the brother of Miguel Angel Cotto in a bout of 10-rounds. In a featherweight match ex-World Champion Daniel Ponce de Leon will fight against Cornelius Lock, also in a 10-round bout. Welterweight Hector David Saldivia will take on Said Ouali in another 10-round bout.

Mayweather - Mosley Score Cards

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has a 40 wins 0 losses with 25 KOs record in 5 division championships while Sugar Shane Mosley has 46 wins, 5 losses and 39 KOs in 3 division championships. With their impressive records, the boxing fans are sure to get an exciting fight between two great fighters

For Floyd Mayweather Jr. always makes sure he has an edge on his opponents. If the guy has speed, he doesn’t have the willpower (Judah). If the guy is bigger, he had better be slower or rustier (De la Hoya and Baldomir). Best of all, Mayweather likes to fight guys his size or smaller. Shane Mosley is none of these things, although Mayweather is clearly banking that he is.

For his part, Sugar Shane Mosley might have lost to Cotto, but only two opponents have truly beaten him: Winky Wright and Vernon Forrest. What those two had in common were substantial advantages in height, reach and overall size coupled with a tight point defense. 

Mayweather is a defensive master, but he uses footwork, head movement and the shoulder roll to stay out of trouble. He also is not bigger than Mosley. Ergo, the two things that give Mosley the most trouble are not a part of Mayweather’s arsenal.

Mayweather - Mosley Tickets

The Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Sugar Shane Mosley tickets are available at www.mgmgrand.com and www.ticketmaster.com for $1250, $1000, $600, $300 and $150. Service charges are not included in the price so be sure to bring in some extra cash to your pocket. Tickets priced $300 and above are limited to be sold at 10 per person and those tickets that are priced at $150 are limited to 2 per person. You can also call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 if you want to charge the payment with a major credit card.

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Vancouver Canucks Wins In The Nick Of Time

NHL fans roared when the Vancouver Canucks couldn't muster much of an attack for 40 minutes, they once again found a way to hang in like a boxer playing rope-a-dope before delivering a knockout punch against the Los Angeles Kings and clinch their Western Conference quarter-final. When Canucks winger Mikael Samuelsson broke his stick on a snapper from the slot, the puck bounced to Daniel Sedin who snapped a wrister to the short side at 17:57 of the third to snap a 2-2 draw and Alex Burrows then added an empty-netter for an amazing 4-2 victory to claim the series in 6 games.

Game and series over. The Canucks would add an empty-netter, but Sedin's goal was the difference in Vancouver's 4-2 victory in Game 6 against the Kings on Sunday night at Staples Center. In the end it was what good teams do. They don't panic and they seize the moment. Nobody did that better than Roberto Luongo. Playing big in one of the biggest games of his career, the Canucks goaltender lived up to all the hope and hype he generated since landing on Vancouver soil. There was stopping a Jarret Stoll forehand and thwarting an Alexander Frolov backhander off a rebound with the score tied 2-2. There were others, early and often, like a sprawling glove save off Ryan Smyth in the second period.

Trailing 2-1 after two periods, the Canucks clawed back into the game when a pinching Kevin Bieksa took a Daniel Sedin feed from behind the net and snapped a shot between Jonathan Quick's pads at 1:57. It was evident early that this wouldn't be another seven-goal spree or six-goal outburst by the Canucks at they were outshot 16-5 in the opening period. Not only was Luongo peppered early as the Kings held a 6-1 shot advantage before the game was four minutes old, the Canucks responded with their initial power-play opportunity by mustering zero shots and needed seven minutes to generate their second shot.

 

"We know we can be bad for 40 minutes ... and things are going to work out," Daniel Sedin said. This is why the Canucks were able to dent what had been a Kings staple during the regular season. They had not given up a lead after two periods, but they did so twice in the playoffs.

"There's an easy answer: Two of the best players in the league did it,"The Sedin line was tremendous. They won the series. They won the game and each of those games you're talking about made the difference. That's what the best players are supposed to do." Kings Coach Terry Murray said.

That includes Samuelsson. If he keeps this up, maybe he should become an honorary Sedin after joining their line in the third period of Game 4. Just call them the Sedin triplets.

With the Kings' Brown off the ice serving his second penalty of the game, the goal came quickly off the ensuing face-off in the L.A zone after Kings' defenceman Sean O'Donnell couldn't clear the puck. Edler kept it in at the blue line and blasted a shot that Bernier deflected past a screened Quick. The Kings regained the lead after Daniel Sedin was sent off on a tripping call with just over six minutes to go in the second. The home squad used the man advantage to jumpstart their slumbering power play, off another goal thanks in part to a Canucks' skater.

After Smyth whiffed on a one-timer attempt in the slot, Vancouver couldn't clear the puck and a Doughty shot deflected off of Alex Burrows and past Luongo for a 2-1 Kings' lead. The third period quickly saw the game even itself up once more, as well as another first-time playoff goal. Just 1:57 into the final frame, Bieksa pinched into the Kings' zone and one-timed a Daniel Sedin pass between the legs of Quick for the 2-2 goal. 

A penalty to the goal-scorer set up another series of big stops by Luongo, including arguably the Kings' last best chance for Frolov, who was left all alone in front but was denied by a right leg kick save.

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