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Kentucky Derby Jockey Ben Curtis: A Dream Come True

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Kentucky Derby jockey Ben Curtis

Jockey Ben Curtis, the Kentucky Derby jockey, has been on an exhilarating journey since coming to the United States from Europe last fall. Recently, he seized a golden opportunity to ride Honor Marie in the Louisiana Derby, clinching a remarkable second place. Now, the burning question remains: Will he maintain the mount for the highly anticipated Kentucky Derby?

“It was a nail-biter,” Curtis admitted. “I was crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. We did everything we could to prove ourselves worthy of staying on the horse. There were plenty of other jockeys vying for the spot, so it was a bit nerve-wracking.”

Finally, the good news came on Tuesday: Curtis would indeed ride Honor Marie in the Kentucky Derby on May 4. It’s a dream come true for Curtis, marking his debut in the iconic race.

Trainer Whit Beckman, who will also experience his first Derby, weighed his options carefully before sticking with Curtis. “Ben fits the horse perfectly,” Beckman explained. “We have full confidence in him.”

Curtis, hailing from Ireland, initially came to the US to ride at Fair Grounds in New Orleans. He hadn’t planned to stay long-term, but fate had other ideas. “I took a leap of faith, and it’s paid off big time,” Curtis reflected. “Now, with a Derby ride under my belt, I know I made the right choice.”

His partnership with Honor Marie wasn’t premeditated. Circumstances led Curtis to take the reins, and he delivered an excellent performance. “I had to adjust my riding style a bit for the US tracks,” Curtis explained. “But we’ve worked hard, and now I feel confident.”

Looking ahead to the Derby, both Curtis and Beckman are optimistic. “We’ve got a good shot,” Curtis affirmed. “I’ve studied Honor Marie inside out, and I believe we can handle the distance.”

Despite the excitement, Kentucky Derby jockey Ben Curtis remains grounded. “It’s just another race,” he said. “My job is to give Honor Marie the best ride possible. If everything aligns, we’ll be celebrating in the winner’s circle.”

Nadal Unsure About French Open Amid Injury Recovery Battle

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Nadal Unsure About French Open Amid Injury Recovery Battle

Tennis great Rafael Nadal has expressed Unsure about his participation in the upcoming French Open, as he continues to manage pain and recovery from injury. The 22-time Grand Slam champion spoke candidly during a news conference on Wednesday, ahead of his first-round match at the Madrid Open against American Darwin Blanch.

Despite his struggles, Nadal emphasized the importance of playing in Madrid, a tournament that holds special significance for him. “It means a lot to me to play on this court where I’ve had some great moments,” he said. “This doesn’t mean I’m giving up on anything in the next few weeks. I don’t know what might happen.”

Nadal, 37, admitted that he is far from being in top form and acknowledged that his participation in the French Open is uncertain. “If I was in Paris today, I wouldn’t go out to play,” he said. “I don’t think I’ll be able to play at 100%, but it’s important to be able to play for the last time in Madrid.”

The Spaniard, known for his resilience and determination, remains cautiously optimistic about his chances at Roland Garros, where he has won an incredible 14 titles. “I’m going to do the things I have to do to be able to play in Paris. And if I can, I can, and if I can’t, I can’t,” Nadal said. “I’m going to Paris if I feel like I’m good enough… I’m going to Paris if I feel capable enough to compete.”

Nadal has been plagued by injuries throughout his illustrious career and has played just five competitive matches this year. He has previously hinted that 2024 may be his final year on the professional tour, adding to the poignancy of his potential farewell at the French Open. Tennis legend Nadal Unsure About French Open.

Watch Haney vs Garcia Boxing Fight Live Online Tonight

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Watch Haney vs Garcia Boxing Fight

Tonight’s the night boxing fans have been waiting for – the highly anticipated fight between Haney vs Garcia Boxing Fight for the WBC junior welterweight championship title.

The Rising Stars Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) is the undefeated defending champion, having won the belt against Regis Prograis in December. At just 24 years old, the San Francisco native is already making waves in the lightweight division.

Ryan Garcia (24-1, 18 KOs) gets his first shot at a world title tonight. The 24-year-old Mexican-American star is looking to bounce back after his first career loss to Gervonta “Tank” Davis last year. A win against Haney would be a massive statement.

When and Where to Watch Haney vs Garcia boxing fight takes place tonight, April 20th, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The main card starts at 8 PM ET, with Haney and Garcia expected to make their ring walks around 11 PM ET.

How to Stream the Haney vs Garcia boxing fight is a pay-per-view event. You can order it:

  • On DAZN for $69.99 (requires DAZN subscription, new subs get first month free)
  • On PPV.com for $79.99 (no subscription needed)

The Odds Despite Garcia’s popularity, Haney is the heavy favorite at -1100 moneyline odds, with Garcia the underdog at +650. But you can never count out an exciting up-and-comer like Garcia.

Get Your Tickets If you’re in the NYC area, get your last-minute tickets on resale sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats to experience this battle of rising superstars live at Barclays Center!

Lakers Secure No. 8 Seed with Impressive Win Streak

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Lakers Secure No. 8 Seed with Impressive Win Streak

The Los Angeles Lakers are on a roll, securing their spot as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference after a convincing 116-97 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. This win marked their fourth straight and ninth in the last 10 games, showcasing their impressive form as the playoffs approach.

Anthony Davis, who had a stellar performance with 22 points, 13 rebounds, six blocks, four assists, and three steals, expressed the team’s confidence in their abilities. “We’re very confident in our ballclub,” Davis said, acknowledging the competitive nature of the Western Conference.

LeBron James contributed a double-double with 24 points and 12 assists, while D’Angelo Russell led the team in scoring with 28 points, shooting efficiently from both the field and beyond the arc. Russell’s recent performances have been crucial in providing the Lakers with an additional scoring threat.

Davis attributed the team’s success to their enjoyment on the court and their ability to hold each other accountable without taking criticism personally. “We’re having fun, we’re having a great time out there playing basketball, and we’re staying together,” he said.

The Lakers are currently just a half-game ahead of the Sacramento Kings and a half-game behind the New Orleans Pelicans for the No. 7 seed. The winner of the game between the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds clinches the No. 7 seed, while the loser faces the winner of the game between the Nos. 9 and 10 seeds for the No. 8 seed. By finishing in at least eighth place, the Lakers will have two chances to win a play-in tournament game and secure their spot in the playoffs.

As the regular season comes to a close, the Lakers will face the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, and Pelicans in their remaining games.

Meet the Top 3 Blue Grass Stakes Contenders for the Kentucky Derby

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Blue Grass Stakes Kentucky Derby contenders

The 100th running of the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland is set to be a thrilling event, with a stellar field of horses vying for a spot in the upcoming Kentucky Derby. While it’s still early, three horses in particular are generating a lot of buzz and could make some serious noise come May 4th at Churchill Downs.

  1. Sierra Leone (2-1 morning-line favorite)
  • Trained by Chad Brown
  • Has only raced 3 times, but won the Grade 2 Risen Star in February
  • Jockey Tyler Gaffalione is very impressed with this horse’s potential
  • Was the most expensive horse nominated to the Triple Crown at $2.3 million
  1. Dornoch (3-1 second choice)
  • On a 3-race winning streak, including the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth in March
  • Will likely take the lead early from the #4 post position
  • The only horse to beat Sierra Leone so far
  • Full-brother to last year’s Kentucky Derby winner Mage
  1. Just a Touch (7-2 third choice)
  • The newcomer with only 2 races under his belt so far
  • Making his stakes debut in the Blue Grass
  • Trainer Brad Cox is excited to see how he measures up against the top competition
  • Son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify

The Blue Grass Stakes will be run on Saturday at 5:52pm ET at Keeneland. With a $1 million purse on the line and 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points for the winner, expect these three talented horses to leave it all out on the track. Tune in to FanDuel TV to catch all the exciting action!

Grappling Phenom: Kade Ruotolo Makes MMA Debut at ONE 167

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Kade Ruotolo MMA debut

Kade Ruotolo, the highly touted grappling prodigy, is set to make his much-anticipated mixed martial arts (MMA) debut this spring, according to a report by Sports Illustrated.

The 21-year-old phenom’s first foray into the world of MMA will take place on June 7 at ONE 167, held at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. Ruotolo will compete in a lightweight bout against Blake Cooper, the younger brother of accomplished PFL fighter Ray Cooper.

Few fighters in the world possess the immense potential that Ruotolo carries. With his youth and exceptional skills, he could very well become the face of ONE Championship in the years to come. However, this will ultimately depend on his ability to secure victories and captivate audiences with his exciting fighting style.

In the ONE 167 bout, Cooper is expected to rely heavily on his wrestling background, while Ruotolo will aim to counter with a combination of his world-class jiu-jitsu and striking skills. The clash of these contrasting styles promises to be a compelling spectacle for fans.

Ruotolo currently holds the prestigious title of ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion. Prior to his MMA debut, he will compete in a non-title bout against Francisco Lo tonight at ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video. Meanwhile, his twin brother Tye, who holds the ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Championship, will make his first title defense against Izaak Michell on the same card.

With their exceptional grappling pedigree and the potential for success in MMA, the Ruotolo brothers are undoubtedly ones to watch in the coming years.

Savannah Marshall, Boxing Champ, to Make MMA Debut at PFL Europe

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Savannah Marshall MMA debut

Savannah Marshall, the reigning women’s super middleweight boxing champion, is set to make her highly anticipated MMA debut on June 8 at PFL Europe Newcastle in England, the promotion announced on Tuesday.

At 32 years old, the English fighter has achieved remarkable success in the boxing ring. She unified all four major titles in the 168-pound division with a hard-fought majority decision victory over Franchon Crews Dezurn in July 2022. This triumph came shortly after her first professional loss, a controversial decision against the formidable Claressa Shields in October 2022.

Marshall’s impressive record stands at 13 wins and 1 loss, with 10 of those victories coming by way of knockout. Her accomplishments have earned her the No. 7 spot in ESPN’s pound-for-pound women’s boxing rankings.

“Savannah and Claressa Shields competed in one of the most-watched women’s boxing matchups in history when they first fought,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “Now, with Savannah’s MMA debut, the two are on a collision course for a rematch wearing four-ounce gloves and settling the score in the PFL SmartCage.”

In her transition to MMA, Marshall will compete in the lightweight division for the PFL. Interestingly, her rival Claressa Shields has already made strides in the sport, boasting a 2-1 record with one finish. Shields made her PFL debut in June 2021 with a victory, followed by a decision loss in October of that year.

Most recently, Shields returned to MMA action in February 2023, securing a win over Kelsey DeSantis at the PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions event in Saudi Arabia.

Both Marshall and Shields set the stage for an eagerly anticipated rematch between these two boxing greats by now competing in MMA, this time under the unique rules and challenges of mixed martial arts.

McGregor Urged to Fight Oliveira Instead of Chandler

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McGregor Urged to Fight Oliveira

Conor McGregor, the notorious Irish MMA fighter, is set to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon in June against Michael Chandler. However, Charles Oliveira’s trainer, Diego Lima, believes that a fight between McGregor and Oliveira would be a much more exciting prospect for MMA fans. McGregor Urged to Fight Oliveira Instead of Chandler.

Lima, the head coach of Chute Boxe, argues that a McGregor vs Oliveira bout would “stop the fight world” and that the Irishman should consider changing his comeback plans. He questions the significance of Chandler’s history in the UFC compared to other top fighters like Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira, and Islam Makhachev.

“Respectfully, nobody knows he exists,” Lima said of Chandler, who has been waiting for his shot at McGregor since they coached together on The Ultimate Fighter last year. Meanwhile, other fighters like Gaethje, Poirier, Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, and Makhachev have been “putting on wars” and making a name for themselves in the UFC.

Lima believes that the McGregor Urged to Fight Oliveira will sell less and less because it will be all about McGregor and not about Chandler. Despite the delays and setbacks, McGregor has confirmed that he will face Chandler on June 28 in Las Vegas at UFC 303.

In the end, only time will tell if McGregor sticks to his plan to fight Chandler or considers Lima’s suggestion to take on Oliveira instead. Regardless, fans are eagerly anticipating the return of one of the biggest stars in MMA.

Fundora’s Promoter: Crawford’s Demands May Delay Showdown

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Fundora's Promoter Crawford's Demands May Delay Showdown

WBC/WBO 154-lb champion Sebastian Fundora’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, has revealed that WBO mandatory challenger Terence Crawford’s financial demands and desire to be a co-promoter for their potential fight may delay the showdown. Crawford, who is currently a free agent, is seeking a significant payday and co-promotional rights, which Lewkowicz says will not happen.

Lewkowicz believes that the most honorable thing for Crawford to do would be to face Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis at 147 lbs, a fight that Crawford has shown little interest in so far. Instead, Crawford seems to be targeting a lucrative bout against Canelo Alvarez.

Meanwhile, Fundora is expected to be out of action until at least November due to a nose injury he sustained during his thrilling 12-round split decision victory over WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu last Saturday. When Fundora does return, a rematch with Tszyu is the most likely scenario.

Lewkowicz has stated that he will honor the contract for a rematch with Tszyu, as he believes the Australian deserves another shot at Fundora. Fundora’s manager, Louis DeCubas, will negotiate with WBO president Paco Valcarcel to try and allow Fundora to keep his title while pursuing the rematch.

If the WBO refuses to sanction the rematch, Fundora may have to vacate the title, leaving Crawford to face #1 contender Josh Kelly for the vacant belt. This could be a nightmarish situation for Crawford, as the fight may not generate the same level of interest and financial rewards as his recent bouts.

Fundora’s Promoter Lewkowicz remains committed to making the Fundora-Tszyu rematch, believing that the public will demand it. He also dismissed the notion that Fundora would have lost the fight if not for the cut he suffered during the bout.

Mike Tyson to Face Jake Paul in Exhibition Boxing Match

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Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul exhibition fight

Get ready for an exciting Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul exhibition fight! The legendary boxer and the YouTuber-turned-boxer will step into the ring on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Netflix will stream this thrilling exhibition boxing match live, giving fans around the world a chance to witness the epic clash between two very different generations of fighters.

Although the record books won’t consider it an official fight, Tyson promises a real fight without the usual restrictions seen in exhibition matches.  The 57-year-old boxing icon is confident in his abilities, saying,

“I don’t think he’s faster than me. This guy is going to come, he’s going to try to hurt me, which I’m accustomed to. He’s going to be greatly mistaken.”

Jake Paul, 27, has been trying to establish himself as a legitimate boxer for the past five years, with mixed results. He has primarily faced older MMA fighters and recently suffered his first loss against Tommy Fury, the first actual boxer he faced. However, Paul has since bounced back with quick victories over lesser-known boxers Andre August and Ryan Bourland.

The Paul family has experience with exhibition matches. In 2021, Jake’s brother, Logan, faced Floyd Mayweather in an eight-round exhibition, which ended without a declared winner.

As the fight draws near, Tyson confesses to feeling “scared to death” but expects his nerves to settle as the event approaches. He also holds no grudges against Paul, calling him “beautiful.”

The fight promises to be an entertaining spectacle, with Paul hyping the match in his usual fashion, including a joke face tattoo and a jab at Tyson’s infamous ear-biting incident. Will the legendary Mike Tyson prove his invincibility, or will the young Jake Paul pull off a shocking upset? Tune in on July 20 to find out Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul exhibition fight!.