Boxing: Fury overcomes wound and Wallin for points victory

Britain's Tyson Fury overcame an early cut over his right eye to win a majority decision against his gutsy Swedish opponent Otto Wallin in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Fury was expected to cruise against his underdog challenger, but was forced to battle through the bloody cut and a relentless Wallin to maintain his unbeaten record.

The judges scored the bout 16-112, 117-111 and 118-110 in favor of Fury, but there were moments when he faced real danger.

Wallin struck Fury with a left hook in an early round to open a bloody gash that had to be tended to for the remainder of the night.

"It was a great fight, I got caught on the eye and that changed the fight," Fury said in a ringside interview. "For the majority I could not see out of the eye. Then there was a clash of heads and I got cut again."

The referee paused the fight in the sixth round to have the cut inspected, and that seemed to be the wake up call needed to ignite the 6-foot-9-inch boxer.

Fury came alive in the middle to late rounds, pounding Wallin with close range shots though not finishing him.

The final round proved a wild finish as Fury went for the kill before being hit with a powerful left from the southpaw Wallin.

Wallin (20-1) entered the night undefeated but untested by notable competition. The 28-year-old exceeded expectations in an entertaining clash.

"I did everything I could, I tried my best and Tyson is a great champion," he said. "Nobody can question my heart or question that I'm a good fighter."

Fury (29-0-1) is now scheduled to fight a rematch in February with Deontay Wilder with whom he fought to a controversial draw last December.

"Deontay Wilder, I want you next, bum,” Fury claimed. "That's my fourth fight, it has put me in good stead for the big dosser, February 22nd. Let the cut heal, have some time to relax with the family." 

source: news.abs-cbn.com

MMA: McGregor promotes fight, whiskey at raucous press conference

Conor McGregor sipped whiskey and boasted he would need just one round to defeat Khabib Nurmagomedov and reclaim the UFC lightweight title during a typically wild news conference to promote his return to the octagon on Thursday.

McGregor repeatedly referenced the infamous April incident when he threw a metal dolly through the window of a bus carrying Nurmagomedov and other UFC fighters, leading to his arrest and eventual guilty plea.

The 30-year-old Irishman told reporters in New York that he was glad that he had been unable to coax the Russian off the bus that day.

"I just thank the lord Jesus Christ that man did not ... step foot off that bus," McGregor said, pointing to Nurmagomedov.

"Because if that bus door would have opened, this man would be dead right now," he added.

"He would be in a box and I would be in a cell."

The dolly incident came after McGregor was stripped of his UFC lightweight title because he declined to defend it and chose instead to fight a lucrative boxing match against Floyd Mayweather, which he lost.

McGregor, who owns a 21-3 record in UFC and is a former champion at featherweight and lightweight, predicted his first fight in the octagon in two years would be a short.

"I believe one," McGregor said when asked how many rounds it would take to dispatch Nurmagomedov, who he called a "rat".

"He's got a glass jaw," he said.

The undefeated Russian was the calmer of the two during the press conference, never raising his voice or getting out of his chair as McGregor tore into him and his family between plugs for his whiskey.

"This is my third fight in the last nine months. I'm 26-0, I've never lost a round," said Nurmagomedov, who is also 30.

"I don't know what this guy is talking about. I don't understand what he's going to do," said Nurmagomedov, who defeated Al Iaquinta by unanimous decision in April to claim the title.

"He thinks whiskey is going to help him?" asked the devout Sunni Muslim, who declined McGregor's offer of a glass of the spirit. "I don't understand."

The fight will be held Oct. 6 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Alvarez downs Golovkin with majority decision win

LAS VEGAS -- Mexico's Saul "Canelo" Alvarez ended Gennady Golovkin's unbeaten reign as unified middleweight champion here Saturday, battling to victory by majority decision in a pulsating rematch. 

Alvarez showed skill and durability to outlast Golovkin in another attritional contest between the two evenly-matched rivals at the T-Mobile Arena, one year after they had fought to a controversial draw at the same venue.

Alvarez inflicted the first defeat of Kazakh slugger Golovkin's career after two judges scored it 115-113 in his favour, with another judge scoring it even at 114-114.

"I am a great fighter, and I showed it tonight," said Alvarez, roared on by a partisan crowd throughout on the eve of Mexico's Independence Day celebrations. 

"If the people want another round, I'll do it again," added the 28-year-old, who improves to 50-1-2. "I feel satisfied because I gave a great fight. It was a clear victory."

Golovkin, who fell to 38-1-1 after the loss, left the ring immediately to get eight stitches to a cut above his right eye.

He later said he believed he had done enough to win -- and opened the door for a possible third instalment.

"I'm not going to say who won tonight, because the victory belongs to Canelo according to the judges," the deposed WBA, WBC and IBO middleweight king said. 

"I thought it was a very good fight for the fans, and very exciting. I thought I fought better than he did." 

When asked about a third fight, he said: "Under the right conditions, yes."

Alvarez's victory ended the 36-year-old's dream of securing a record-breaking 21st consecutive defence of his middleweight titles.

While Golovkin appeared to take issue with the result, there was little sense of controversy about Saturday's outcome.

Golovkin's trainer Abel Sanchez was among those who had few complaints.

"I had it close going into the 12th round," Sanchez said. "We had good judges who saw it from different angles - I can't complain about the decision, but it's close enough to warrant a third fight. 

"Canelo fought a great fight, congratulations."

Both fighters fought cagily from the outset, reluctant to trade heavy blows. 

- Canelo unruffled -

Golovkin appeared to edge clear in the early rounds, working well behind his stiff left jab, but Alvarez remained unruffled.

The Mexican, who had been accused of "running" in the first fight, came forward relentlessly and dominated the mid part of the fight.

On all three judges cards Alvarez dominated the middle rounds from the fifth through to the eighth, building a handy lead to defend in the closing stages.

Golovkin attempted to rally, rocking Alvarez with a stinging right hand in the 10th before pinning him on the ropes with a flurry of hooks.

But Golovkin was never able to press home his advantage, and each time Alvarez was able to evade the looming danger to slide away and respond with blows of his own.

With Golovkin needing a big finish in the 12th, Alvarez again proved up to the challenge, shrugging off an early uppercut to hold on for the win.

Although statistics afterwards showed Golovkin had thrown more punches, it was Alvarez who landed more consistently, outscoring his rival 143-116 in power punches.

An array of stars from the movie and sports world were amongst a crowd of 21,965 for the most anticipated fight of the year, with LeBron James rubbing shoulders with Hollywood icons such as Denzel Washington and Will Smith.

But the technical, tactical battle never quite lived up to the explosive classic which fans had hoped for.

The contest followed an acrimonious build-up which saw both camps trade insults in the wake of Alvarez's two failed drug tests in February which forced the cancellation of an earlier May 5 rematch. 

The two boxers needed to be separated at Friday's weigh-in after Alvarez charged at Golovkin as they faced off.

Alvarez was banned for six months after testing positive for the banned performance enhancing substance Clenbuterol. 

The Mexican blamed the test failures on eating contaminated meat in his native Mexico. 

However Golovkin had infuriated the Alvarez camp by repeatedly rubbishing his opponent's explanation for the test results, accusing the Mexican of being a dope cheat.

The acrimony was forgotten in the aftermath of Saturday's bout, with both men embracing in the ring.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

NHL: Knights rout Avalanche to tie win-streak record

LOS ANGELES - The Vegas Golden Knights' spectacular arrival in the NHL continued with a record-equalling win on Friday.

David Perron, Oscar Lindberg, Cody Eakin and James Neal all scored goals during an 8 1/2- minute stretch in the second period and Oscar Dansk had 32 saves to lead the Knights to a 7-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Las Vegas.

The fifth straight win for the Golden Knights matched the longest win streak by any team during its inaugural season in the 100-year history of the league.

The record was set by the New York Rangers in 1926-27 and equaled by Edmonton Oilers in 1979-80.

Vegas had already set an NHL record for best start by an expansion club by winning its first three games.

The 23-year-old Dansk, recalled from the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League on October 19 after injuries to starting goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and backup Malcolm Subban, produced the first shutout in team history as he made just the second start of his NHL career.

The contest featured few scoring chances in the first 30 minutes before Perron stole the puck at the Avalanche blue line and backhanded a shot over Semyon Varlamov on a breakaway to give Vegas a 1-0 lead at the 9:50 mark of the second period.

Lindberg made it 2-0 just 2 1/2 minutes later with another unassisted goal.

Eakin made it 3-0 and Neal notched his team-best seventh goal of the season a few minutes later, redirecting a shot from the point by defenseman Colin Miller.

Jonathan Marchessault, Erik Haula and William Carrier added goals in the third period for Vegas.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

McGregor eyes more money fights as Mayweather retires

LAS VEGAS -- Described as the fight the fans asked for by the executives who made it happen, Saturday's clash between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor was only ever about one thing -- money.

Having beaten the Irish pretender with a 10th-round technical knockout, Mayweather can retire with a perfect 50-0 record and a payday said to be worth up to $300 million, and the American has promised never to return to the ring.

McGregor, however, is a different story.

His $30-million purse for the fight is 10 times his previous best disclosed purse from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where, as he says, he endures "shinbones to the head" as he makes his living.

In the altogether more genteel surroundings of the boxing ring, he made a lot more money with a lot less damage, and his appetite has surely been whetted by the enormous riches on offer.

McGregor has made no secret of his desire for more.

Asked what he liked most about his boxing experience, "Money" Mayweather prompted UFC lightweight champion McGregor to say the cash.

"The check is alright. The check is not bad," the Irishman laughed as he sipped his own "Notorius"-brand whiskey on the podium of the post-fight media conference.

"I've already been raising the MMA (mixed martial arts) checks. I'm still going to be raising the MMA checks when I go back there," he added.

The 29-year-old has started his own website, a clothing line and a number of other businesses, and he was clearly delighted to see the logo of his latest venture, McGregor Sports and Entertainment, in the ring at Saturday's fight.

The value of his brand, however, stems from what he does in the ring or the octagon and the brash personality he displays as he goes about his sporting business.

UFC president Dana White is keen for McGregor's boxing experiment to end sooner rather than later, and said that he was in a position to offer McGregor similar riches for mixed martial arts bouts.

"If our fights do what the (pay-per-view) buys did here tonight, and the gate, we'll all be good, trust me. Nobody will be bitching about anything," White told reporters.

"It takes two very special people in the right place at the right time to do the freakish kind of numbers and the watercooler talk that these guys had. You've got to have the right people in the right place at the right time."

With Mayweather, holder of a handful of the biggest pay-per-view sales of all time, vacating the stage at the age of 40, there is an opening for McGregor to move in and take over as the biggest draw in combat sports.

The problem is that there are few prospective opponents for him in either boxing or MMA who can generate that kind of interest.

A bitter training-camp row between McGregor and boxer Paulie Malignaggi might provide the kind of intrigue that would get fans to part with their money to see them face each other in the ring, but McGregor is most likely to return to the octagon to fight Nate Diaz.

Diaz gave McGregor his first UFC defeat in a 170-pound match-up in 2016, which McGregor avenged months later with an epic five-round decision victory at the T-Mobile Arena, before going on to win the organisation's lightweight title.

With the teak-tough Californian more than a match for McGregor in terms of trash talk, a trilogy fight to bring that rivalry to a close is about the only thing that would make sense -- and the required amount of dollars -- for McGregor at this point.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

McGregor adds new chapter in rags-to-riches story

LAS VEGAS — Conor McGregor, who stands to make up to $100 million from Saturday's boxing match against Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas, is not known for his humility, but the Irishman certainly hasn't forgotten where he came from.

When the 29-year-old mixed martial arts champion recently bought a yacht he named it "188," after the number of euros he used to receive as a social welfare payment from the Irish government as recently as four years ago.

Back then, few could have dreamed of the fame and untold riches that combat sports would bring him, but McGregor — who calls himself "Mystic Mac" due to his ability to predict the outcome of his fights — never doubted himself.


Born in a working-class suburb of Dublin, McGregor began boxing at an early age before moving towards the burgeoning new sport of mixed martial arts as a teenager.

His rise as a fighter under the banner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship may seem meteoric, but an early loss as a young pro almost caused him to walk away from the sport.

His mother intervened and asked his coach, John Kavanagh, to encourage him not to give up. Kavanagh, who made a point of never chasing athletes to beg them to come back, made an exception for the brash McGregor.

Luckily for all concerned, it worked out.

McGregor suffered another loss against compatriot Joe Duffy, but then embarked on a winning streak in the Cage Warriors promotion that saw him win the featherweight and lightweight belts there.

Irish fight fans took to Twitter to campaign for a UFC contract for their rising star, and when promotion kingpin Dana White relented in 2013, McGregor was finally in the stable of the biggest show in the game.

He tore through the UFC featherweight division, winning his first seven fights and culminating in a stunning 13-second knockout of Brazilian Jose Aldo, a victory which saw him crowned the organization's featherweight champion.

In a sport struggling to find new heroes, he quickly became the UFC's biggest draw, and they were more than happy to accommodate his seemingly boundless ambition.

He set his sights on the lightweight belt, but when then-champion Rafael dos Anjos pulled out of their title fight due to injury, McGregor's career hit its first major obstacle.

Californian Nate Diaz was drafted to replace dos Anjos, and he promptly submitted the Irishman in the second round of a welterweight bout after McGregor tired himself out throwing huge left hands looking for another spectacular knockout.

McGregor put all thoughts of the lightweight title aside, demanding and getting a rematch against Diaz that turned into an epic five-round war of attrition that the Irishman edged on the scorecards of the judges.

Having had his revenge on Diaz, McGregor turned his attention to Eddie Alvarez, who had taken over the lightweight title, and was booked to meet him in the main event at the UFC's first event in New York in over 20 years.

McGregor did not disappoint, rocking Alvarez early and going on to win the fight via second round TKO to become the first UFC fighter to hold two belts simultaneously.

With his bank balance growing but nothing that appealed to him in mixed martial arts, McGregor then took aim at Mayweather, one of the greatest names in combat sports history.

A deal was done and he can now look forward to a payday that should give him financial security for the rest of his life.

Brash and profane, yet often thoughtful and intensely loyal, McGregor has a small, tight team around him that prepares him for his fights.

Regardless of what happens against Mayweather he will head to Spain with his family to celebrate the wedding of a friend and to spend some time on his yacht.

But neither he nor his team are in Las Vegas to provide Mayweather with another big purse — throughout his career McGregor has aimed to make combat sports history, and the next stop on that journey is the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday. (Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Frank Pingue)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Boxing: From plumber to superstar, McGregor taps into fame

LAS VEGAS -- In the space of four short years, Conor McGregor has grown accustomed to the trappings of luxury that have accompanied his rise through the ranks of mixed martial arts.

But the 29-year-old multi-millionaire Irishman, who faces Floyd Mayweather in a cross-combat superfight on Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila), insists he has never forgotten his humble beginnings.

Until he was discovered and signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2013, McGregor was eking out a hand-to-mouth existence. The former apprentice plumber was on the dole as he attempted to make a name for himself on the Irish mixed martial arts circuit.

"It's mind-blowing. But I never forget the struggles. I never forget where I came from. I never ever forget the hard times," McGregor says. "When things were really bad I didn't have a pot to piss in. Really, nothing. I'm not a stupid guy and it was hard standing in a dole queue."

McGregor's life now, as he contemplates Saturday's bout with Mayweather, could not be more different.

Private jets, tailor-made suits and multi-million-dollar purses feature regularly in his life. He owns a luxury yacht which he christened "The 188" -- a reference to the amount of his 188-euro ($222) weekly benefits check before his career took off.

"I pinch myself because I am surrounded by luxury. But make no mistake – it's luxury built on sacrifice," McGregor explained.

Initially, McGregor's family had attempted to steer him away from fighting, encouraging him to work as a plumber's apprentice during his teens.

"I hated every minute of it," McGregor recalled. "You were talking 14 or 15-hour days. I was getting ordered around, getting people their lunch, all this crap. I just thought, 'This life isn't for me, I'm going to pack it in. I'm going to chase my dreams.'"

'Combat is my life'

A mixed early start to his career in Ireland was followed by an eight-fight winning streak between 2011 and 2012.

In 2013, UFC chief Dana White signed him to a mult-fight contract and the world's dominant mixed martial arts circuit had its next star.

McGregor's explosive punching and ability to market himself, backing up his brash, cocksure press conference persona inside the octagon quickly endeared him to the sport's fans.

A serene start to his UFC career culminated with McGregor winning back-to-back titles, defeating Chad Mendes by knockout in July 2015 before a 13-second demolition of Jose Aldo five months later.

An upset defeat to Nate Diaz in early 2016 was followed by a decision that stunned the MMA world soon afterwards -- McGregor declaring his apparent retirement from the sport.

The announcement, however, was widely seen as a negotiating gambit, with McGregor increasingly reluctant to fulfill his contractual obligations to promote each fight.

"I am paid to fight. I am not yet paid to promote. I have become lost in the game of promotion and forgot about the art of fighting," McGregor said. "There comes a time when you need to stop handing out flyers and get back to the damn shop."

He was back in the shop later in 2016, avenging his loss to Diaz with a win by decision in August before knocking out Eddie Alvarez to win the lightweight title three months later.

While safely back in the UFC fold, though, McGregor remained determined to try and land his ultimate prize -- a showdown with Mayweather.

Ever since the fight was announced in June, few commentators have given McGregor a chance.

The Irishman has never fought a boxing contest before, and will be facing an opponent who will be aiming for a 50th straight career victory.

McGregor, who has vowed to knock out Mayweather inside two rounds, is unfazed by his underdog status.

"I'm borderline insane," McGregor said. "I don't know about anything else and don't care about anything else. Combat is my life."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Mayweather, McGregor trade verbal jabs as countdown begins

LOS ANGELES - Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor traded verbal jabs on Tuesday as the circus-like countdown to their money-spinning superfight cranked into overdrive on the Las Vegas Strip.

Thousands of fans including a sizeable contingent of Irish supporters thronged the heart of the Nevada boxing capital to greet Mayweather and McGregor at their separate formal grand arrival ceremonies.

Mayweather, the 40-year-old undefeated former welterweight boxing champion, has been lured out of retirement to face McGregor, a star of mixed martial arts' Ultimate Fighting Championship.

The two men meet in a 12-round contest under boxing rules on Saturday that is tipped to become the richest fight in history.

The cross-combat collision has appalled boxing purists, with many decrying the event as a farcical publicity stunt more in keeping with the choreographed traditions of WWE wrestling.

Mayweather and McGregor who clashed repeatedly during an expletive-laden world press tour to drum up interest for the fight last month, insist however that they are ready to deliver a battle for the ages.

McGregor, a massive underdog in what will be his first professional boxing fight, insisted Tuesday he was ready to stun the oddsmakers.

"This is not even close to my toughest challenge ever. I will crumble him," McGregor said.

"I have adapted perfectly to boxing, I am very pleased and ready. I'm a special man, I will prove that August 26, this will go one or two rounds, maybe I will bang him out and hurt him.

"If he survives, I will decide whether I embarrass or seriously hurt him.

"I'm calm and cool, same as I am in every fight. I'm fit, sharp and I'm gonna be ruthless in there. I believe he'll be unconscious inside one round."

McGregor and Mayweather passed each other after their separate introductions, with McGregor taunting the American with a shout of "Why didn't you want to face off?" -- triggering a melee between their two entourages.

'INTRIGUING FIGHT'

A relaxed-looking Mayweather meanwhile had earlier encouraged fans to bet on the fight finishing inside 12 rounds.

"I talked to you before and said that this fight wouldn't go the distance," Mayweather said.

"If you're going to bet, bet it won't go (the distance)."

Mayweather did his best to play down his status as a heavy favourite, insisting that his two-year layoff from the ring had blunted his prowess.

"That's what makes this fight so intriguing, I've been out a few years, feel like I've lost a few steps," Mayweather said.

"So we'll just have to wait and see."

Earlier Tuesday, Mayweather had taunted McGregor over his fitness, telling the US website FightHype that he believed his opponent would struggle to make the 154-pound limit for Saturday's bout.

"Conor McGregor is extremely heavy right now," Mayweather said. "I think he's 164 so he's still got 10 pounds to go."

McGregor could face a painful financial penalty if he is unable to tip the scales inside the limit. Boxers often have the option of cancelling a fight or collecting a larger share of the purse if an opponent fails to make weight.

Mayweather, who is expected to earn at least $100 million from Saturday's contest, indicated he would take the money.

"I get that extra money if you can't make the weight," Mayweather said. "Get those extra millions ready. UFC get those extra millions ready."

"If he don't make the weight, we still going to fight but there's going to be a heavy fine."

Mayweather has fought at 154 pounds before but is more used to fighting at welterweight (150 pounds). McGregor however has fought at 170 pounds in MMA.

McGregor, 29, last week insisted he was in peak condition following a gruelling training camp that had taken him to "hell and back" and left him primed to face either a long or short fight.

"There is no way in hell that I'm not ready to fight in the deepest of trenches in this contest," McGregor said.

"We are ready for both scenarios. I'm ready to go to war for 12 rounds and I'm ready to put him away early on."

rcw/mdo

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Sky Sports Pay-Per-View to air Mayweather vs. McGregor

MANILA, Philippines – One of the most anticipated fights of 2017 is coming to SKY Sports Pay-Per-View on Sunday, August 27, live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Unbeaten American superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. will come out of retirement to face off against mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor in a boxing match.

Mayweather is a highly decorated boxer who will stake his immaculate professional record of 49 wins with no loss.

McGregor, meanwhile, will challenge the boxing legend that has been labeled as the top pound-for-pound fighter of the last 25 years. The Irishman has an MMA record of 21 wins and three losses, 18 victories of which came by knockout.

The reigning UFC lightweight and former UFC featherweight champion has competed as a feather, lightweight, and welterweight through the duration of his fight career.

The fight will be aired at approximately 9 a.m., but fans can also catch the replay at 7 p.m., also on August 27.

The special is available to subscribers of ONE SKY, SKYcable, Destiny Cable, SKYdirect, and SKYBroadband via SKY On Demand for P950.

Existing subscribers can catch the fight by calling 4180000 or their local SKY office, texting BOXINGPPV to 23662 or by visiting www.mysky.com.ph/boxingppv.

SKYdirect postpaid subscribers can text SKY to 23668; SKYdirect prepaid users can also subscribe through mysky.com.ph/boxingppv.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Expletives, excitement as Mayweather, McGregor face-off

LOS ANGELES -- Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor lit the touchpaper for their cross-combat superfight here Tuesday, turning the air blue in an expletive-laden face-to-face meeting to launch their global promotional tour for the bout.

More than 11,000 fans crowded into Los Angeles's Staples Center for a raucous first live showdown between former boxing world champion Mayweather and Irishman McGregor, one of the biggest stars of mixed martial arts.

The two men are set to face each other in Las Vegas on August 26 in what could be the richest fight in history after finally agreeing to climb into a boxing ring following a year-long guessing game over whether they would ever do battle.

Tuesday's fiery face-off saw the swaggering, cocksure McGregor strut onto stage confidently in a three-piece suit featuring pinstripes made up of an offensive two-word insult.

The immaculately tailored profanity set the tone for a spectacle shot through with an endless torrent of abuse from both fighters, no doubt delighting promoters as they attempt to sell a fight for which ringside tickets will go on sale at around $10,000.

The suited McGregor was the first to take the microphone, mocking Mayweather's decision to show up wearing a tracksuit, suggesting it was linked to the American's reported tax difficulties.



"He's in a tracksuit, he can't even afford a suit anymore!" McGregor declared to roars of laughter from the massed ranks of his green-shirted fans crammed into the lower tiers of the famous basketball arena.

McGregor, who will start as an overwhelming underdog against one of the most accomplished defensive fighters in history, was bullish about his prospects of victory. "The 0 has got to go," McGregor declared, referring to Mayweather's perfect 49-0 record.

"I'm going to knock him out inside four rounds, mark my words," McGregor said, to more roars.

A stony-faced Mayweather meanwhile bided his time before taking the microphone and unfurling his own cascade of expletives.

"I'm going to knock this bitch out," Mayweather said, to boos from the crowd. McGregor shot back: "You haven't knocked anyone out for 20 years!"

Mayweather meanwhile responded to the jibes about his finances -- he recently filed for an extension to pay his 2015 tax bill -- by producing an uncashed check for $100 million from an assistant's rucksack.

McGregor was again ready with a riposte: "Give it to the taxman!"

Mayweather was unruffled however, vowing to administer a comprehensive victory over the 28-year-old Irishman despite being 40.

"I'm not the same fighter I was 10 years ago. Or 5 years ago. Or 2 years ago," Mayweather said.

"But I've got enough to beat you. He can choose which way he wants to go. Either on his back or on his face."


- Snarling braggadocio -

Mayweather later appeared relaxed during a briefing with print reporters, suggesting his snarling braggadocio on stage had been solely for the benefit of the sold-out arena.

"We have to give people what they want to see," the former welterweight king said.

"That's what the people wanted to see. To have a sold-out arena like today and give these fans something real smooth and calm? They don't want that. That's not what they wanted. These fans want entertainment. They got entertained today by both competitors."

Unsurprisingly Mayweather declared himself the victor in the verbal sparring, saying McGregor's incessant trash-talking during their face-to-face photo opportunity indicated he had rattled the Irish fighter.

"He's got to realise, I've been here before," Mayweather said. "He just started this. I've been doing this for years. Years after years. He's upset. He's ready to kill me now. He's mad. I was calm, cool.

"I gave him a little bit of his own medicine and he didn't like it."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

K-pop group BTS makes history at Billboard Music Awards

Here they are making their #BBMAs Magenta Carpet debut... it's @BTS_twt! 👏 pic.twitter.com/rlt8wT2lQR 

— BillboardMusicAwards (@BBMAs) May 21, 2017


Korean group Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS) made history as the first Korean group to be nominated and win an award at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.

BTS won the Top Social Artist award edging out other nominees like Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande and Shawn Mendez.

The group's win also ended Bieber's six-year winning streak.

.@BTS_twt  accepts Top Social Artist presented by @ion360, thanks to you guys! 💕 #BBMAs pic.twitter.com/lZWEuYXp6I 

— BillboardMusicAwards (@BBMAs) May 22, 2017

 In their acceptance speech, the group thanked ARMY, their official fan club.

"ARMY, our fandom, thank you very much. We still cannot believe that we're standing here on this stage at the Billboard Music Awards, oh my gosh," BTS leader, Rap Monster (Kim Nam-joon), said as they accepted their award.

BTS is the second Korean artist and first K-pop group to ever be nominated at the Billboard Music Awards

In 2013, Korean singer Psy won the Top Streaming Song (Video) award for "Gangnam Style." He was also nominated for five other categories on the same year.

BTS was recently in Manila for their two-day Wings Tour Concert.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

McGregor gets revenge with decision win over Diaz

LAS VEGAS -- Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor won a thrilling decision victory over Nate Diaz in their rematch at the Ultimate Fighting Championship's UFC 202 event in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Featherweight champion McGregor had stepped up two weight classes to fight Diaz at welterweight in March but was submitted by the Californian in the second round.

On Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena, both fighters did heavy damage but neither could find the knockout blow over five bloody rounds. Judges gave McGregor a majority decision victory, setting the stage for a third fight.

McGregor downed Diaz early in the first round with a stinging left hand and fought a tactical fight, peppering his opponent's front leg with kicks.

Diaz hit the deck twice early in the second round but McGregor declined to take the fight to the mat, signalling for Diaz to get up.

Known for his durability, Diaz then landed two telling strikes of his own, forcing McGregor back against the cage towards the end of the round and grabbing the momentum.

Diaz came close to finishing it in the third but McGregor somehow stayed on his feet despite a series of heavy blows.

Both fighters were struggling with fatigue in the final two rounds, which were heavy on clinches around the cage, and Diaz managed to take McGregor down in the final seconds of the fifth.

(LOOK: Cristiano Ronaldo gets into the cage with MMA fighter)

The flamboyant McGregor is the biggest draw in the UFC, as shown by his $3-million paycheck for Saturday's fight.

While a third fight between the two would be a huge draw, the UFC is keen for McGregor to defend the featherweight title he won by beating Jose Aldo last December or to vacate it.

In Saturday's co-main event, top light heavyweight contender Anthony Johnson knocked out Glover Teixeira with a thundering right uppercut to put himself into contention for a title fight against champion Daniel Cormier.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Brock Lesnar beats Hunt in UFC return

Five years after he left, Brock Lesnar was victorious in his return to the Octagon as he claimed a unanimous decision win over Mark Hunt in the co-main event of UFC 200 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Lesnar has not fought in the UFC since losing to Alistair Overeem in 2011, and has instead returned to his old stomping grounds at the WWE.

Nevertheless, he showed that he still has what it takes, taking down Hunt twice in the first round.

In the third round, he took full mount and unloaded hammer fists against Hunt, who did just enough to avoid getting stopped.

"It took me a while to get acclimated," said Lesnar, who won his first UFC fight since July 2010. "I'm so happy to be back here."

Scores were 29-27 across the board for Lesnar.

In the undercard, UFC light-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier defeated the legendary Anderson Silva via unanimous decision in a three-round, non-title bout.

Silva was fighting on two days' notice after Cormier's original opponent, Jon Jones, was pulled out of the card due to a positive test. "The Spider" did enough to survive until the third round, wherein he landed some significant strikes to the delight of the crowd, but Silva could not stop Cormier's takedown attempts.

Cormier won with scores of 30-26 across the board, and improved to 18-1 in the UFC, with his lone loss coming against Jones in January 2015. Silva, for his part, has not won in the UFC since 2012.

In another fight, Jose Aldo became the interim UFC featherweight champion after defeating Frankie "The Answer" Edgar in a five-round battle.

Scores were 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 for Aldo, who was fighting for the first time since he lost in just 13 seconds to Conor McGregor at UFC 194 back in December. It was also a repeat of his victory over Edgar back in February 2013, wherein he also won a five-round decision.

Aldo opened up a cut above Edgar's right eye in the second round, but "The Answer" refused to back down, even tagging Aldo with a combination in the third round. The Brazilian however landed the more significant strikes, and sealed his win with a strong fifth round.

Meanwhile, former heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez overpowered Travis Browne in the first fight of the main card, knocking out the former champion in the closing seconds of round one.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Madonna, Kesha, Dion rule the stage at emotional Billboard Awards

Madonna paid tribute to Prince, Kesha earned a standing ovation for her stirring rendition of "It Ain't Me, Babe" honoring Bob Dylan, and Celine Dion dedicated her Icon award to her late husband at Sunday night's emotion-packed Billboard Music Awards.

The three-hour live telecast from Las Vegas stuck to its tradition of a performance-heavy annual show featuring top recording stars in spectacular production numbers.

Britney Spears kicked things off, dazzling in a daring red outfit for a medley of her hits.

Canadian singer The Weeknd dedicated the first award to Prince, the Grammy-winning pop superstar best known for such hits as "Purple Rain" and "Let's Go Crazy," who died at his Minnesota home in April aged 57.

"I want to dedicate this award to the late great Prince," The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye), said in accepting the Top Hot 100 Artist award.

Madonna ended the show with a Prince tribute that included "Nothing Compares 2 U," before she was joined by Stevie Wonder for "Purple Rain" as the audience rose to its feet, arms gently swaying above their heads and singing along.

Earlier, Kesha delivered an emotional rendition of Dylan's classic in a much-anticipated performance that was nearly canceled by her label in a legal dispute.

Kemosabe Records relented, saying Kesha had assured them she would not use her time as a platform to address her failed legal bid against Sony Corp's Sony Music and producer Dr. Luke. Kemosabe, founded by Dr. Luke, is a unit of Sony Music. The singer stood by her word.

While several awards were handed out during the show, including to British singer Adele who won the big prize, top artist and accepted via a video segment, it was performances by the likes of Ariana Grande, Dion, and Rihanna that ruled.

Dion, making her first televised singing performance since the death of her husband, Rene Angelil, tearfully accepted the Icon Award for lifetime achievement, which in a surprise was presented by her son, Rene-Charles.

"I'm so sorry, I don't want to cry in front of you," Dion told the audience. She ended by holding her award aloft and declaring, "Rene, this one's for you, the show must go on," echoing the title of the Queen song she had just performed.

Other top prizes went to Rihanna in the fan-voted chart achievement award, Justin Bieber for top male artist, Adele for both top female artist and Billboard 200 album, and The Weeknd for R & B song "The Hills." (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb and Chris Michaud; Editing by Chris Reese, Robert Birsel and Paul Tait)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com