Taylor-Serrano 2 added to Paul-Tyson

Undisputed super lightweight world champion Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs), will step back in the ring for the most anticipated rematch against boxing trailblazer and unified featherweight champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (46-2-1, 30 KOs).

Taylor-Serrano 2 will be the co-main event of the recently announced heavyweight match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, which will take place on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys(Netflix).

In a stunning fight of the year contest, Taylor defeated Serrano at a sold-out Madison Square Garden in April 2022. The bout ended in a narrow split decision in favor of Taylor; the rematch will be contested for the undisputed super lightweight championship 

“This is the rematch the world has wanted to see, and I’m delighted that it’s finally happening,” said Katie Taylor. “The first fight in New York was obviously an epic occasion and it more than lived up to the billing, and I’m sure the rematch will be no different. I want to thank Matchroom and DAZN for their help in making the fight possible and I’m looking forward to defending my titles as Undisputed World Champion in Dallas on Saturday, July 20.”

Amanda Serrano is the first-ever Puerto Rican undisputed and seven-division world champion. Most recently, Serrano took home a unanimous decision victory against her mandatory WBO challenger, Danila Ramos. This made history in the first-ever women’s unified world championship to be fought over 12 three-minute rounds, equal to any men’s championship fight. It marked the first time a women’s fight has gone the full 12×3. Serrano threw a career-high 1,103 punches in the bout. 

“I promised my fans they would see this rematch after we made history at MSG, and it feels like a dream come true to know that Katie and I are finally making it happen on the biggest stage possible to show the world what elite women’s boxing is all about,” said Serrano. “While my focus continues to be on giving women the choice to fight with the same rules as men, I’ve always said that this is the one fight I’d go back to 10×2 for if that’s what Katie wanted. I’m coming for her belts; she wants 10×2, so that’s what we will do. I believe I won our first fight, but I didn’t get the decision, so this time, I’m not leaving it to the judges. I am honored to share this iconic MVP card in the biggest stadium, on the biggest streaming platform in the world.”

Tyson is excited about Taylor-Serrano 2.

“Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are two of the best boxers in the world,” said Tyson. “I know they can both put on an incredible show, and I’m thrilled to have them join this card. These remarkable athletes will elevate the event with their global appeal and fan bases.”

Pistons announce reorganization of front office

On Tuesday, the Detroit Pistons announced that the club plans to reorganize its basketball front office, which includes filling the role of a new head of basketball operations, reporting directly to owner Tom Gores.

According to the team, GM Troy Weaver and the basketball staff will remain in their positions and current roles while the organization assesses where adjustments are needed. 

In head coach Monty Williams’ first season, the Pistons(14-68) struggled. They had the worst record in the NBA and an NBA record-tying 28-game losing streak.

Gores acknowledged the team’s underperformance this season, but he believes the Pistons have a “strong foundation of young talent” and “strategic financial flexibility” to improve the team’s roster.

“This past season has been incredibly difficult and frustrating for our fans, players, and our entire organization,” said Gores. “We will continue to invest in our core group of young players and surround them with the right complimentary talent.”

According to Gores, he’s willing to do whatever he needs to build a winner in Detroit.

“I am committed to doing whatever it takes to build a winning team,” Gores explained. “Nothing is off the table. As tough as this season has been, a bright future is available to us. It’s in our power to get this right, and we will. This is a pivotal summer for the Pistons.”

Detroit does have some young talent in Cade Cunningham, Ausur Thompson, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren; in addition, they could have the number one overall pick in this year’s draft and reportedly $60 million in cap space, so the cupboard is not bare.

Wilder-Zhang headlines 5 vs 5 undercard

Long-standing promotional rivals Queensberry and Matchroom will battle it out on June 1 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The 5 vs 5, which has created intense speculation and interest across the boxing world is headlined by the undisputed championship of the world match between light heavyweight greats Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

The current WBA world light heavyweight champion, the slick and stylish Bivol, 33, holds a record of 22-0 (11 KOs) and has successfully defended his title on 10 occasions over the last six years. Wrecking machine Beterbiev, 39, is the WBC, IBF and WBO world champion and has secured all of his 20 professional victories via knockout.

Here is the undercard:

Chinese giant “Big Bang” Zhilei Zhang (26-2-1, 21 KOs) has been chosen to represent Queensberry in the second heavyweight encounter. The 40-year-old southpaw takes on Matchroom pick and former WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KOs), the Bronze Bomber who made 10 successful defences of the title he won by defeating Bermane Stiverne in 2015. The man from Alabama, with the trademark ‘Bomb Squad’ chant, has executed a chilling 42 KOs from his 43 wins.

At featherweight, in what many predict will be a ‘fight of the year’ contender, and arguably should have been a world title unification, Queensberry’s Nick Ball, (19-0-1, 11 KOs), and Matchroom’s American world champion Ray Ford, (15-0-1, 8 KOs), compete for the WBA World Featherweight championship recently won by Ford in spectacular fashion against Otabek Kholmatov via a stoppage with just seven seconds of the 12 rounds remaining.

Queensberry’s undefeated Hamzah Sheeraz, the WBC Silver and Commonwealth champion with a record of 19-0 (15 KOs), trades blows with Matchroom’s USA product Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams, who has impressively assembled a record of 16-0 (11 KOs) and won the IBF North American title in 2023. A huge prize is on the line in the fight with the fight being recognised as a Final Eliminator for the WBC World Middleweight title. Sheeraz is also rated as the No.1 contender with the WBO so a World title opportunity beckons for the winner. Sheeraz, at just 24, is on a run of 13 straight stoppages, the longest consecutive KO streak currently in British boxing.

In the final fight, Queensberry light heavyweight and former World Amateur champion Willy Hutchinson (17-1, 13 KOs), one of the brightest talents in British boxing and the current WBC International champion, will face Matchroom’s former British champion and WBA world title challenger Craig ‘Spider’ Richards (18-3-1, 11 KOs).

NBA announces Play-In Tournament schedule

The 2023-24 NBA regular season came to an end on Sunday, and now the first six seeds in each conference are set, and the Play-In Tournament, which begins on Tuesday when the Pelicans(7th) host the Lakers(8th), the Kings(9th) host the Warriors(10th).

In the East, the 76ers(7th) host the Heat(8th), and the Hawks(10th) travel to Chicago to battle the Bulls(9th).

There is going to be a very good that won’t make the playoffs this season, which makes this season’s Play-In Tournament very interesting.

The Play-In Tournament schedule is below:

GAME

AWAY

HOME

ET

TV/R

Tuesday, April 16

1

Lakers

Pelicans

7:30 PM

TNT

2

Warriors

Kings

10:00 PM

TNT/R

Wednesday, April 17

3

Heat

76ers

7:00

ESPN

4

Atlanta

Chicago

9:30

ESPN/R

Friday, April 19

5

Winner of Game 4

Loser of Game 3

TBD

ESPN/R

6

Winner of Game 2

Loser of Game 1

TBD

TNT/R

Below is the complete playoff schedule, which begins on Saturday, April 20. According to the NBA, the times of the games will be announced at a later date.

Pistons, Pelicans make roster moves

The New Orleans Pelicans have converted the contract of forward Matt Ryan to a standard NBA contract, the team announced on Saturday.

There is no word on the terms of the contract.

Ryan, 26, whose two-way contract was awarded to New Orleans off waivers on October 22, 2023, has appeared in 27 games (one start) for the Pelicans this season, averaging 5.6 points and 1.5 rebounds while shooting .451 from deep.

The second-year forward is eligible to be on the Pelicans’ playoff roster.

New Orleans (49-32) will face the Lakers in their regular-season finale at home on Sunday. If they win, they will capture the sixth seed and avoid the Play-In Tournament.

Pistons sign Nowell for the rest of season

On Saturday, the Detroit Pistons announced they had signed guard Jaylen Nowell to a contract.  

Nowell signed a 10-day contract with Detroit on April 3. He’s appeared in three games with the Pistons, averaging 8.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 16.7 minutes per game.

A five-year NBA veteran, Nowell previously appeared in 193 career games (four starts) for Minnesota and Memphis. The No. 43 overall pick by the Timberwolves in the 2019 NBA Draft, Nowell holds career averages of 8.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.5 steals in 17.1 minutes per game. Nowell appeared in nine games for the Grizzlies this season, averaging 5.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 17.1 minutes.

In 28 games this season with the Stockton Kings, the NBA’s G League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings, Nowell is averaging 17.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 27.9 minutes per game.

Detroit (14-67) finishes their season on the road against the Spurs.

Duarte to battle JoJo Diaz on undercard of Ramirez-Barthelemy

Oscar “La Migraña” Duarte (26-2-1, 21 KOs) will battle former world champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (33-5-1, 15 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight match.

Mexico’s Duarte is coming back into the ring after a valiant dance with super lightweight world title contender Ryan Garcia last December; Diaz is coming off an upset split decision loss against Jesus Perez last February.

The event, headlined by Jose Ramirez-Rances Barthelemy and Vergil Ortiz Jr.-Thomas Dulorme, scheduled for Saturday, April 27, will take place live from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

Also. unified WBA, WBC, WBO and Ring Magazine Flyweight World Champion Marlen Esparza (14-1, 1 KOs) will put her titles on the line yet again in a bad-blood rematch against the former WBC Champ of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Gabriela “La Chucky” Alaniz (14-1, 6 KOs) in a 10-round championship bout. Esparza has her eyes set to become undisputed champion, however she has “La Chucky” in her way looking for revenge and will plan to give Esparza a nightmarish evening.

Opening the telecast, NABF Welterweight Title Holder Raul “El Cugar” Curiel (14-0,12 KOs) will defend his regional title against Jorge Marron Jr. (20-4-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-round affair. Curiel has been on a consecutive knockout streak, his last outing in January he was seen dismantling Elias Diaz last January.

On the preliminary card and making her highly anticipated professional debut, Jennah “The Gem” Creason of Visalia, California will make a splash in a four-round welterweight fight against a soon to be announced opponent. Creason is USA Boxing’s No.1-ranked, two-time USA Boxing National Champion, and has excelled in a diverse array of combat sports including wrestling, jiu jitsu, grappling and karate. Jennah’s accolades also include becoming a two-time Desert Showdown champion, a Junior Golden Gloves Champion, a Gold/Silver States Champion and a National Silver Gloves Champion. Her corner includes HOF and trainer of the year Robert Garcia and UFC HOF legend Bob Cook.

Also on the preliminary card, Madera, Calif.’s Brian Lua (8-0, 3 KOs) will participate in a six-round lightweight fight, and Figo Gonzalez (5-0, 2 KOs) of Dallas, Texas will square up in a four-round super flyweight fight. Opponents for both will be announced soon.

Hawks give medical updates on Johnson, Okongwu

On Thursday, the Hawks announced that forward Jalen Johnson, who left Tuesday’s loss to the Miami Heat with a right ankle sprain, had an MRI yesterday that revealed a Grade 2 lateral ankle sprain.

According to the team, he will be re-evaluated in approximately three weeks. 

Also, center Onyeka Okongwu (left big toe sprain) underwent a non-surgical procedure on Tuesday to deal with ongoing inflammation in his left big toe. He will be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks. Okongwu injured his toe in February and has missed the last 26 games for the Hawks.

The Hawks (36-44) are the 10th-seed in the Eastern Conference and will play the Bulls in the Play-In Tournament, and unfortunately, they won’t have two key contributors.

Mavs clinch playoff berth after win over Hornets

On Tuesday, the Dallas Mavericks (49-30) clinched at least one of the top six seeds after routing the Hornets 130-104.

Dallas, who missed the playoffs last season, has now made the playoffs 19 times in the last 24 years. 

Luka Doncic had another triple-double with 39 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. In addition, Doncic reached 2,332 points on the season, surpassing Mark Aguirre’s single-season franchise scoring record (2,330 in 1983-84).

Daniel Gafford was also big against the Hornets. He was a perfect 12/12 from the field and scored a career-high-tying 26 points; the 12 field goals without a miss are a franchise record.

With a win over the Heat on Wednesday night, the Dallas Mavericks have a chance to secure the Southwest Division, adding to the excitement of their playoff journey.

Here are the playoff scenarios in for Wednesday’s NBA action:

Western Conference:

Dallas clinches Southwest Division title with a win.

Golden State is locked into a play-in game with a Phoenix win.

Lakers are locked into a play-in game with a Phoenix win.

Eastern Conference:

Miami is locked into a play-in game with a loss AND wins by Orlando and Cleveland.

Milwaukee clinches Central Division title with a win AND a Cleveland loss.

New York clinches a playoff spot with a Miami loss.

Orlando clinches a playoff spot with a win AND losses by Cleveland and Miami.

Orlando clinches division title with a win AND a Miami loss.

Jaron Ennis signs promotional deal with Matchroom Promotions

Eddie Hearn and Matchroom have signed Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis to a multi-fight promotional deal in partnership with Boots Promotions, the promotional company announced on Wednesday.

Ennis (31-0 28 KOs) is slated to make his much-anticipated return to the ring in the summer where he will make the first defense of his IBF World Welterweight title.

Last time out in July, Ennis successfully defended the interim title belt when he knocked out Roiman Villa in stunning fashion in the 10th round of their clash in in Atlantic City. Ennis landed the interim strap in January 2023 when the American defeated Karen Chukhadzhian in Washington D.C, before his win over Colombian Villa extended his unbeaten record in the paid ranks to 31 fights, with that KO a scary 28th from the slick and powerful champion.

The 26 year old was later promoted to champion in November after former undisputed welterweight ruler Terence Crawford was forced to relinquish the title, and Ennis is now a man on a mission to prove he belongs at the very top of the sport and is looking forward to returning to the biggest nights on the grandest stage, teaming up with the biggest promoter in the world on the undisputed global platform for boxing.

“I’m excited for this partnership with Eddie Hearn, Matchroom and DAZN,” said Ennis in a press release. “I can’t wait to continue making my mark and becoming undisputed World champion. I’ve been out of the ring for a year, and I cannot wait to get back in and do what I do best; entertain the fans and put on clinics. There are blockbuster fights on the horizon for me, and I am ready to deliver them.”

Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn revealed his delight at securing the highly sought-after signature of Ennis, backing the undefeated superstar to rule the world for many years to come.

“Wow – What a signing!” said Hearn. “I’ve watched this young man for many years, and I always believed he would become a pound-for-pound great, and I have no doubt he is already the greatest fighter in the division. To win the race to sign Jaron is a massive coup for Matchroom Boxing and DAZN.

“Holding the IBF title in one of boxing’s glamour divisions places Jaron front and center for some of the biggest fights out there in the sport, and we plan to deliver them for him.

“Jaron has everything needed to become a household name both in the sport and in the sporting hotbed of his Philadelphia hometown, where we are committed to building him. Fight fans can get excited for his return in the summer as he looks to hunt down the biggest fights that will elevate him to the pound-for-pound list.”

A further announcement on Ennis’ first defense of his World championship will be made soon.

Eagles to face Packers in Brazil in Week 1

The National Football League announced on Wednesday that the Green Bay Packers will play the Philadelphia Eagles in the first-ever regular season game in Brazil, as part of the 2024 International Games.

The Packers will face the Eagles — the 2024 São Paulo designated team — on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, marking the first time the NFL has played a game on Friday night of their opening weekend in over 50 years.

The game will take place in the city of São Paulo at the Corinthians Arena, home to Brazilian soccer team SC Corinthians and will be each team’s first game of the 2024 regular season.

Peacock (NBCUniversal) will exclusively stream the Week 1 game in São Paulo, Brazil on Friday. The game will also be available on free, over-the-air broadcast television in the local markets of the competing teams as well as on mobile devices with NFL+.

Five regular season games will be played as part of the 2024 NFL International Games, including the game in São Paulo, Brazil, with the designated teams for the Europe slate already announced.

With the game in South America, the NFL will have played a game (preseason or regular season) in five of the seven continents around the world.

Additional opponents and kickoff times for all games will be announced with the 2024 schedule this spring.