Johnson earns knockout win in Friday’s main event; Kahn-Clary dominates in homecoming victory2/22/2014 Michael Parente
Boxing’s ageless “Road Warrior” added another highlight-reel knockout to his resume Friday night at Twin River Casino. Fighting for the first time in Rhode Island, no surprise given his penchant for spanning the globe throughout his career, former two-time world champion Glen Johnson (54-18-2, 37 KOs) stopped the game Jaime Velazquez (11-6-2) in the fourth round of their scheduled eight-round main event light heavyweight bout at “Home Sweet Home,” presented by Classic Entertainment & Sports. Providence’s Toka Kahn-Clary also won in impressive fashion by technical knockout in the scheduled six-round co-feature. Velazquez, the Pawtucket, R.I., native making his first appearance in 15 years, gave Johnson three strong rounds before the “Road Warrior” poured it on the fourth. Johnson hurt Velazquez early with a body shot and began teeing off as the round wore on, at one point nearly sending Velazquez through the ropes. Velazquez did his best to stay on his feet before a huge overhand right by Johnson sent him teetering into the ropes and prompting Velazquez’s trainer, Roland Estrada, to throw in the towel at the 1 minute, 59 second mark. Travis Barrett
Here’s a different kind of Hat Trick for this week. In the wake of Canada’s 1-0 shutout of the United States in the semi-finals in Sochi, here’s the three things I thought of first in the immediate aftermath of the Olympic clash. BIG D: If there was one huge (pun intended) advantage Canada had over the United States, it was on the blue line. Drew Doughty may have taken the trophy from Sidney Crosby this week as Canada’s “Best Player,” though the Sidney apologists are certainly going to make him work for that title. But Doughty’s ability to move the puck, to transition through the neutral zone, to put pucks on net and to make all the players on the ice around him better was eye-opening. Certainly, he’s been recognized for years as among the NHL’s elite defensemen, but he was able to do all of this while the reigning Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban watched from the sidelines. Throw in Shea Weber’s toughness, Alex Pietrangelo’s tremendous puck-moving ability and even Duncan Keith and Jay Bouwmeester’s steady presence, and the defensive corps as a whole on the Canadian roster made the United States contingent pale in comparison. More than their ability in and around their own net — an area the smaller U.S. forwards simply couldn’t get to — was their dominance in the neutral zone. When they weren’t springing forwards for odd-man rushes Friday, they were jumping into the rush themselves to create multiple options on a very successful breakout. The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced Thursday that Boston Red Sox Minor League pitcher Francisco Tena has received a 50-game suspension without pay after testing positive for metabolites of Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Former NFL safety Darrin Sharper, now an analyst for the league's in-house network, is under fire for allegedly drugging and raping up to seven women during during a five-month span from 2013 to 2014, another black eye for a league with far too much negative press and not nearly enough accountability. Michael Parente -- MP@990wbob.com The sociopath in Miami who damn near bullied one of his teammates into retirement is probably counting his blessings this week. Thank God for that other guy from the NFL Network serving up Roofie Coladas, or the tight end in New England who allegedly killed another guy last summer and might even be linked to more homicides. Thank God someone else is in the news for a change.
It's Wednesday and you know what that means. It means it's time for some PsychoSports the Hump Day edition. Join host Michael Parente, his co-host Johnny Sunchips, and their producer Scoop Fox as they try to save you all from the dreary, wet, cold New England weather with some hot sports takes. This week, they are joined by former 2x Light Heavyweight World Champion Glen Johnson to talk about his boxing experiences and his upcoming CES match this Friday at Twin River against Jaime Velazquez. Then they squeeze in a little Sochi hockey with 990WBOB hockey guru Travis Barrett. Throw in some basketball trade talk rumors and a little David Ortiz contract and you got one packed show where the fun never stops. Philadelphia's "Hammerin'" Hank Lundy will face Angelo Santana on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 in the ShoBox main event of Don King's upcoming promotion in Cleveland, one of three big fights for Classic Entertainment & Sports in the next two weeks. The world-rated Lundy is looking for his second consecutive win following a victory over Ajose Olusegun in July. Michael Parente - MP@990WBOB.com
With snow falling at a record pace along the eastern seaboard, New England-based promoter Classic Entertainment & Sports is forging ahead with three major events in the next two weeks. Two of CES' most prolific fighters, world-rated light welterweight "Hammerin'" Hank Lundy and Providence, R.I., super middleweight Vladine Biosse, will headline major cards on ShoBox both Friday, Feb. 21, and Friday, Feb. 28, respectively. Also on the 21st, CES will host its 2014 boxing kickoff with a major event at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I., starring former two-time world champion Glen Johnson. It's an epic month for the hardest-working promotional company in combat sports. "Not only are we thrilled to bring a world-class fighter like Glen Johnson to our home in Providence, we're excited for the world to catch a view of two our top fighters in Vladine Biosse and Hank Lundy," CES president Jimmy Burchfield Sr. said. "Most boxing fans already know what 'Hammerin'' Hank is all about. He grew up on ESPN, fighting on the road against some of the best in the world, and now he'll bring his talents to ShoBox where he belongs. Red Sox starter Ryan Dempster announced this past weekend he would not be playing any baseball in 2014. The 36 year old journeyman's announcement is said to not only be a surprise to the fans, but the organization as well. Under contract for another season, Dempster has left 13 plus million on the table. “I don’t feel like I am capable of performing to the ability and standard that I am accustomed to,” Dempster told Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal. “ Ryan's sudden statement has left Red Sox nation a buzz, supplying no shortage of opinions. Here's what our "experts" think.
It seems it hasn't stopped snowing yet in 2014. The year has begun with a bevy of heavy winter storms ranging across the country. However the boys of summer are prepping the warmer temps and themselves for another season, down south.
Chick Frasco @ChickFrasco
Citing a lack of preparedness--both mentally and physically--Boston Red Sox' starting pitcher Ryan Dempster announced Sunday that he will sit out the entire 2014 season. LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and the East squad cap off a big come-from-behind win to end 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend in the Big Easy By Ryan Fox ---- @Spider_Fox87 It’s that time of the year folks, where everything in the NBA comes to a halt. Yes sir, it is All-Star Weekend down in the Big Easy, New Orleans, Louisiana. Now people will be tuning into stuff like the 3-Point and Slam Dunk contests, or check out games like the NBA Rising Stars, Celebrity Game, or even H-O-R-S-E. But it’s not All-Star Weekend without the All-Star Game.
This past Sunday marked the 64th NBA All-Star Game between the East and West. Going into Sunday night’s game, the East posted an overall record of 36-26 against the West (the 1999 All Star-Game was skipped due to the Lockout that year). However the West have won three straight All-Star games and six out of the last ten since 2004. |
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