As Steve Kim wrote for ESPN, the unified welterweight title fight between champion Errol Spence Jr. and challenger Danny Garcia has been moved to Dec. 5 at AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas.
The bout was originally planned for Nov. 21 at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, but promoters had placed holds on other venues with the hope that spectators could attend despite concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has welcomed fans at reduced capacities for Cowboys games this fall. Dallas averaged over 23,000 spectators in the club's first two home contests of the season, per ESPN.
As is the case for the National League Championship Series and World Series held at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, seats for the upcoming boxing event will be sold in "pods" to allow for social distancing. Attendees will be required to wear masks or other face coverings when not actively eating or drinking.
Spence improved to 26-0 with a win over Shawn Porter in September 2019 but was involved in a serious car accident the following month.
According to Ryan O'Hara of FightNights.com, Spence received probation after he was found to be driving while intoxicated.
Garcia, who served as unified and lineal junior lightweight champion before he transitioned to welterweight, beat Ivan Redkach in January to improve to 36-2-0. He'll be competing in Spence's home state.
"Every time Spence fights in front of his hometown fans, it is an unforgettable and energetic evening," president of TGB Promotions Tom Brown said of the native of DeSoto, Texas. "We're excited to be able to bring those fans this great matchup."
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The 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame class had its day in Cooperstown on Sunday. This year's class included Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner, who were elected by the eligible voters from the Baseball Writer's Association of America, and Dave Parker and Dick Allen, who were elected by the Classic Baseball Era Committee. Here are some of the top highlights from Sunday's induction speeches. Dave Parker's son reads poem written by Hall of Fame father Parker's induction into the Hall of Fame was long overdue, and he sadly did not have the opportunity to enjoy the moment of seeing his name in the Hall of Fame as he died June 28. That left his speech in the hands of his son, Dave Parker II, who read a poem written by his dad. Parker spent the majority of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he was an MVP winner, two-time batting champion and World Series champion with the 1979 "We Are Family" team. Dick Allen's wife remembers his kindness Allen was the other veterans committee inductee, and his widow, Willa Allen, spent the majority of her speech remember the kindness of Allen off the field as much as his ability on the field. Allen is going into the Hall of Fame as a Phillie but won the 1972 American League MVP with the Chicago White Sox. He led the league in OPS four times and was the 1964 National League Rookie of the Year. A reminder that Billy Wagner wasn't naturally left-handed Being left-handed is a huge advantage (and money-maker) for pitchers, and Wagner was one of the most dominant left-handed relief pitchers to ever step onto a mound in the big leagues. But he wasn't always left-handed. Wagner was a natural-born right-handed person but taught himself how to throw left-handed after fracturing his right arm twice as a kid. It led to quite a career. Wagner made a name for himself with the Houston Astros but also spent years with the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox. CC Sabathia takes playful dig at Ichiro Sabathia accomplished a ton in his 19-year big league career. He won 251 games, won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award, was the 2009 ALCS MVP and a World Series champion. He still has apparently not gotten over the one individual award he did not win — the 2001 American League Rookie of the Year Award, which went to fellow 2025 inductee Ichiro. Sabathia made sure to make a playful dig at that. Sabathia was the only American League rookie outside of Ichiro — who also won the American League MVP that year — to get a first-place vote. He received one. The others all went to Ichiro. Ichiro stole the show Ichiro stole 509 bases in his Hall of Fame career, and on Sunday, he added one more steal to his list of accomplishments by absolutely stealing the show at Cooperstown. He delivered two of the best lines of the day, first by calling out the one lone writer who did not vote for him, keeping him from being just the second unanimous Hall of Fame inductee ever (after Mariano Rivera). His best line of the day, however, might have been when he referenced his brief time as a member of the Miami Marlins toward the end of his career. Ichiro played 14 of his 19 seasons with the Seattle Mariners while also spending time with the Marlins and Yankees.
Ichiro Suzuki delivered an amazing speech as he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, and it even included a surprising swipe at one of his own former teams. During the iconic speech, Ichiro took the time to thank each of of the three MLB teams that he played for across his 19 MLB seasons. When he arrived at the Miami Marlins, he made a hilarious wisecrack about how he had never heard of the team before they offered him a contract in 2015. “And to the Miami Marlins: I appreciate David Samson and Mike Hill for coming today. Honestly, when you guys called to offer me a contract for 2015, I had never heard of your team,” Ichiro joked. Many were surprised to hear Ichiro deliver his speech in English, as he almost always used an interpreter in interviews during and after his playing career. The fact that the 51-year-old was able to entertain the crowd while not speaking in his native language made the speech even more iconic. While thanking the New York Yankees, Ichiro had a funny comment about how his former teammates were only there to support CC Sabathia, who was also being inducted into Cooperstown. Ichiro is one of the greatest hitters in MLB history, and fans have enjoyed seeing the less serious side of him in recent months. Earlier this year, he also took a hilarious shot at the lone Hall of Fame voter who snubbed him. Ichiro called out the voter again during his speech on Sunday.
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit into the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .217/.288/.408 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability, and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts, and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering week two of their 2025 training camp, but one of their most intriguing rookies won’t be with the organization. Undrafted free agent addition DJ Thomas-Jones had impressed during rookie minicamp and was looking to be an unlikely candidate to secure a spot on the 53-man roster. The versatile fullback and tight end is believed to be out for the season after sustaining an injury at the Steelers’ final practice of the first week of camp. Thomas-Jones appeared to injure his lower left leg or ankle area and was tended to on the field on Sunday. He was carted off the field after evaluation and did not return. According to a recent report from PennLive’s Nick Farabaugh, the injury is believed to be a torn Achilles, which would end his rookie campaign. The Steelers had been using Thomas-Jones in varying ways this offseason. Most recently, he was working with the tight end group, and never looked out of place in drills with Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington. Thomas-Jones was seeking to make his NFL debut with the Steelers after impressing during his collegiate career. He attended the University of South Alabama between 2022 and 2024, establishing himself as a smash-mouthed and versatile piece of their offense. Over his final two seasons with the school, he started 20 of 26 games. As a senior, he caught 22 passes for 191 yards and three touchdowns and was named an All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention. Over his three-year tenure at South Alabama, he hauled in a total of 69 passes for 610 yards and 11 touchdowns. Unfortunately, he’ll have to wait to make an impact at the NFL level with the Steelers. After impressing in his short time with the organization, he may receive another chance to shine once he recovers from his injury. It’s a devastating blow to the young player and another hit to the Steelers’ roster as they approach the first preseason game of the 2025 campaign. Without Thomas-Jones, the Steelers still have four tight ends on the roster. In addition to Freiermuth, Smith and Washington, fellow rookie JJ Galbraeth is another player from a small NCAA school that’s made a positive impression on the coaching staff. The top three spots are locked in at the position, but not Galbreath will see more snaps and reps in training camp.
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