Sports — International

Spanish star Gasol agrees to NBA Trail Blazers deal: report

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Spanish star center Pau Gasol, a two-time NBA champion, has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, ESPN reported Wednesday. The 39-year-old 7-footer (2.13m) who helped the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2009 and 2010 NBA titles joins his sixth league club for a 19th career NBA campaign. The deal was reportedly worth $2.6 million. Gasol played only 30 games last season for San […]

Want to stay relevant? Fight me, Pacquiao tells Mayweather

  MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Manny Pacquiao challenged Floyd Mayweather to face him again in the ring on Wednesday as the retired American star taunted the Filipino great about fighting on into his forties. Pacquiao, 40, who beat Keith Thurman on a split decision at the weekend, bit back at Mayweather on social media after the American accused him of trading on his name. “You come to my fight and then use my name in […]

Mayweather made ‘special advisor’ to China boxing team

SHANGHAI, China (AFP) — Retired superstar Floyd Mayweather has been named “special advisor” to China’s boxing team as they look to improve their medal count at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Chinese Boxing Federation said. The federation said American legend Mayweather had pledged to “go all-out to use his influence and resources to support the Chinese boxing project in achieving excellent results at the Tokyo Olympics.” It made the announcement in a post dated Sunday […]

Lakers gain rights to Kostas Antetokounmpo, brother of Bucks star Giannis

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Los Angeles Lakers confirmed Monday they have gained the rights to Kostas Antetokounmpo, younger brother of Milwaukee’s NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis. Kostas Antetokounmpo, 21, was signed to a two-way contract by the Lakers. He appeared in two games for the Dallas Mavericks last season and played 40 games for the Texas Legends in the NBA’s developmental G League. Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 60th overall […]

Duncan returning to Spurs as assistant coach

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — San Antonio great Tim Duncan is returning to the Spurs as an assistant under longtime head coach Gregg Popovich, the NBA team said Monday. “It is only fitting, that after I served loyally for 19 years as Tim Duncan’s assistant, that he returns the favor,” Popovich said in a statement released by the team. Duncan, who won five NBA titles with the Spurs, has been a familiar figure at […]

Pacquiao mulls future after title stunner

by Rob Woollard LAS VEGAS, United States (AFP) — Father Time may be undefeated, as the old boxing saying goes, but Manny Pacquiao is not going down without a fight. The 40-year-old Filipino legend wrote another improbable chapter in his glittering career on Saturday, with an age-defying split decision victory over the hitherto unbeaten Keith Thurman. Pacquiao, a full decade older than the 30-year-old Thurman, rolled back the years with a vintage performance that had […]

News in photos: Pacquiao outclasses Thurman in age-defying boxing match

  TWENTY-FOUR years after first climbing into a professional boxing ring, Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao attempted to defy the march of time and won on Saturday when he battled the formerly undefeated American Keith Thurman for the WBA welterweight crown. The 40-year-old Filipino icon clashed with Thurman at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in what is arguably his most challenging assignment since losing to Floyd Mayweather in 2015’s money-spinning “Fight of the Century”. […]

Pacquiao looking to return to boxing ring next year

(Eagle News)–Manny Pacquiao is looking to return to the ring next year, only a few months after his victory over American fighter Keith Thurman. Pacquiao made the remark in an interview with Fox Sports after the match,which  he won via split decision. Pacquiao said in the meantime though, he would return to the Philippines to assume his duties as a senator. As for Thurman, the American fighter said he “would love a rematch” with Pacquiao, […]

Thurman on Pacquiao: He is truly a legendary boxer

(Eagle News)–Keith Thurman heaped praises on Manny Pacquiao, after he suffered his first defeat in the hands of the Filipino boxer who was ten years his senior. “Pacquiao is truly a legendary boxer,” Thurman told Fox Sports after the historic match at the MGM Arena. According to Thurman,going into the match he knew Pacquiao had the “momentum” after the Filipino boxer scored a knockdown in the first round. “My output was just behind Pacquiao’s..Tonight has […]

Updated: Pacquiao beats Thurman by split decision, gains WBA welterweight crown

-Pacquiao: “I was blessed tonight”- (Eagle News) – Filipino senator and boxing champion Manny Pacquiao outclassed American boxer Keith Thurman, beating the former undefeated US boxer and welterweight champion by a split decision. With the win, the 40-year old Pacquiao gains the WBA welterweight crown, and dismissed critics that his age may weigh him down.  He proved that his style, strength, and years of experience in the boxing ring made the world of a difference. […]

Sixers star Simmons out of Aussie World Cup bid

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Ben Simmons, newly signed to a five-year, $170 million contract extension with the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, confirmed Tuesday he won’t play for Australia at the World Cup. In a statement posted on Twitter, the Melbourne-born star said he wouldn’t make the trip to the FIBA championship that tips off in China on August 31. “I wanted to let everyone know that after consulting with my representation, I’ve made the difficult decision […]

Record-breaker Peaty leads British charge in Korea

  by Kieran Canning  LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Virtually untouchable when on song, breaststroke king Adam Peaty spearheads a potent British team when the world swimming championships begin on Sunday in Gwangju, South Korea. The world record holder over 50 and 100 metres, Peaty will be the red-hot favourite to retain his world titles but Britain’s supporting cast also contains plenty of quality. Duncan Scott is a sure-fire medal contender after backing up his […]