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Ryan Garcia (24-1-1, 20 KOs) is gearing up for war.
‘KingRy’ is all set to return to the boxing ring after a yearlong suspension, with an undoubtedly explosive showdown against Rolando Romero (16-2, 13 KOs) in Times Square in New York on May 2. With the burden of the PED usage accusations weighing heavily on his shoulders, Garcia is all fired up to prove himself once again. And it looks like he wouldn’t let any weapon in Romero’s arsenal stop him from getting back onto the pedestal.
Talking at his recent media workout, Garcia revealed that he is looking forward to sending a message with his performance during the fight.
“We’re prepared for whatever Rolando brings. We’re not expecting an easy fight. Obviously, he’s a power puncher. He’s going to come and try to knock me out. He’ll probably make the fight rough,” he said.
When he was told that his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, was expecting a quick knockout victory, Garcia parried the words so as not to jinx the outcome of the fight. He mentioned that he was instead focusing on being well-conditioned and having a good game plan. While he is ready to go the complete 12 rounds, he won’t hesitate to take a decimating shot when he sees an opening.
Meanwhile, he also reminded fans that he is still bearing the brunt of the PED usage accusations. “I know I didn’t do any steroids. So, it was tough for me to get over that, but I just refocused, and I got blessed with this opportunity. I felt this was my chance to come back and show everybody that I could really fight,” he said.
“It Still Haunts Me”
Garcia had to take the time to reassess after his suspension. And with the upcoming Romero fight, he hopes to reclaim his lost glory and remind the boxing world that he’s here to stay. “I’ve got a lot to prove. That fight with Haney was supposed to be the victory of my life. It still haunts me. But this is an opportunity to reset,” he said. “Consistency is key. I want to be the boxer I know I can be. This is just the beginning.”
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Yankees receive positive Aaron Judge update
The New York Yankees have recently been slumping, but they may be getting a boost soon. Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge took batting practice Sunday at the team's minor league complex in Tampa Bay, via Erik Boland of Newsday. The 33-year-old slugger is now expected to return to New York's lineup in Tuesday's road game against the Texas Rangers. The Yankees placed Judge on the 10-day injured list on July 27 because of a flexor strain in his right elbow. He suffered the injury during a 5-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on July 22 when throwing a ball from the outfield. New York manager Aaron Boone indicated the injury isn't a long-term concern, but they'll start Judge at designated hitter as a precaution. "No acute injury to the UCL. Overall, that's the good news," the manager said July 27, via MLB.com's Bill Ladson. "With those first few days coming off the IL, it's probably DH mode. Then he'll start throwing ... and hopefully, get back to the outfield shortly thereafter." Still, that's better than no Judge, especially for a team that's losing ground in the American League East race. Entering Sunday, New York (60-51) was third in the division behind the Boston Red Sox (62-51) and the Blue Jays (65-47). The Yankees had also dropped six of their past 10 games, including a shocking 13-12 home loss to the Miami Marlins on Friday. Judge was producing stellar numbers before the injury. In 377 at-bats in 103 games, the two-time AL MVP slashed .342/.449/.711 with 37 home runs. Judge returning at full power would help the Yankees rediscover their groove in the second half of the season.
Knee operation: Kirby Dach not yet back on his feet
Two years ago to the day, Canadiens fans were optimistic about Kirby Dach’s future in Montreal: the 6’4 forward had just collected 38 points in 58 games – in his first campaign in Quebec – and many wondered whether Dach had a better chance of establishing himself as a first NHL center than captain Nick Suzuki. The past 730 days have proven otherwise, but that’s not the point this morning. Since joining the Canadiens, Dach has earned a reputation as a fragile player. Virus, shoulder, upper body (concussion?), lower body, knee(ACL and MCL), knee again… Let’s just say that injuries haven’t spared Dach since he arrived in Montreal. In fact, injuries haven’t spared Dach since he started playing hockey. He has never played more than 70 games in a single season, and has only broken the 60-game barrier three times in nine junior or pro seasons. Last February, Dach underwent a second operation on his right knee in the space of 18 months. Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes may tell us that Kirby Dach is fine,but we still have our doubts. Especially whenyou consider that, with the Canadiens’ recent additions and departures, Kirby Dach is still the team’s second center on the organizational chart. content-ads]Last week, I wondered where Kirby was ? We’ve seen plenty of Habs players skating at the CN Complex this summer, but not Kirby Dach. And I had to work like a monk to catch a glimpse of him in a video filmed at Nick Suzuki’s wedding! Yesterday, I was told that Kirby Dach was spending the summer in Edmonton with Kaiden Guhle – Dach is from Saskatchewan and Guhle is from Alberta – and that Dach was still in rehab. I repeat: five months after his most recent knee operation and some 40 days before the start of practice camp, Kirby Dach is still not recovered and ready to play. Good informants spotted him in an Edmonton gym doing squats with loads that look like the ones I used to take when I went to Econofitness, not the ones an NHL player uses [content-ads]This explains it: when he came to Montreal for his captain’s wedding, Kirby Dach couldn’t – or wouldn’t – skate with his teammates in Brossard. It’s worth noting that Dach is also very quiet on social networks – his last post was in November 2024 – probably in an effort to be forgotten… to go unnoticed. Spending the summer in Alberta, rather than in Montreal (with his chums at Osheaga), makes sense, when you think about it…Let’s just say that the chances of Dach starting his season at the same time as everyone else in two months’ time are pretty slim, which is cause for concern for those hoping to see the Canadiens in the playoffs in 2026. Yes, the Kirby Dach problem would be solved if a guy like Mason MacTavish-good offensively, defensively, physically and in the face-off circle-came to Montreal, but let’s just say that the odds of that happening this summer are very low. And you can’t make plans with very improbable things![spacer title=’Prolongation’]Matthew Tkachuk, who was injured last winter while throwing down the gloves at the 4 Nations tournament, underwent surgery last month (hernia and adductor). According to the latest information from Elliotte Friedman, Tkachuk could return to action just before the Olympic Games. Let’s hope Kirby Dach doesn’t have to wait as long as Tkachuk.
'Wild Card' Flashing for Packers Defense During Training Camp
Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is going to need to figure out how to put a rhetorical jigsaw puzzle together this season. At cornerback, the Packers have gone so far as to convert former wide receiver Bo Melton to cornerback in hopes of trying to replace former Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander, who was released this spring. The puzzle and potential combinations may be even more wide open at linebacker, as training camp continues and the 2025 regular season approaches. Isaiah Simmons Standing Out for Packers While it would seem that there is plenty of competition at linebacker, for Green Bay, heralded by some ascending young talent, one veteran is making his presence felt this summer. According to the Packers’ Mike Spofford, Isaiah Simmons has been standing out for the Packers, at linebacker, this summer. “Cooper and Walker are the only ones I’d say offer a lot to the pass rush,” Spofford writes for the team’s official website. “We’ll see about Simmons there. He’s the real wild card in this mix. What I like is the range of body types and strengths. McDuffie isn’t all that big or fast but knows the defense and diagnoses plays to put himself in the right spot. Hopper is a thumper. The other guys can attack, run and/or chase in any direction asked. It’s an intriguing bunch.” Simmons, 27, who spent the past two seasons playing safety for the New York Giants, adds not just a veteran presence but the versatility that comes with experience playing multiple positions to the Packers’ linebacking corps. How the Packers wind up using Simmons remains to be seen, but his physicality upfront alongside a player as dominant and talented as Cooper has the potential to be a significant upgrade for Green Bay in the season ahead.
Al Horford to Warriors Receives Update After Jonathan Kuminga News
The Golden State Warriors’ offseason has been dominated by the unresolved standoff with forward Jonathan Kuminga. After a 2024-25 season where he averaged 15.3 points per game, Kuminga declined the team’s two-year, $45 million offer, citing issues with the second-year team option and the lack of a no-trade clause. Kuminga has also drawn interest from other teams—most notably the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns—but Golden State has shut down all trade discussions, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The franchise has instead chosen to wait, leaving major offseason decisions on hold, including the potential signing of veteran big man Al Horford, who remains a free agent. Kuminga Set to Stay With the Golden State Warriors With the Warriors determined to stand their ground on the Kuminga saga, and the 6-foot-7 forward yet to accept their terms or the $7.9 million qualifying offer, all signs point to one likely scenario – Kuminga remaining a Warrior for at least one more season. According to Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard, Golden State has no plans to trade Kuminga for the bare minimum this summer. He is expected to return to the Warriors’ roster—either by signing their current offer or accepting the qualifying offer. “The word I got when I checked in with a Warriors source on Sunday: Kuminga won't be traded this summer,” Kawakami wrote. “He'll be back on the Warriors' roster to start the season. And it'll either come when he signs the Warriors' offer or accepts the $7.9 million one-year qualifying offer.” The Warriors refusing to budge on their Kuminga stance means they will maintain the flexibility needed to make other moves that have been on hold — like the signing of Boston Celtics free agent Al Horford. What the New Jonathan Kuminga Report Means for Al Horford As it stands, it appears that the Warriors’ signing of Horford could be happening sooner than later. ESPN’s Anthony Slater noted towards the end of last month that Golden State identified Horford as its main target for a stretch-shooting center since the start of the offseason. However, his decision was believed to hinge on how the Kuminga situation played out. ESPN’s Marc Spears also recently noted that even players like Gary Payton II are waiting to see what Kuminga decides, further illustrating how his contract saga is impacting the entire roster. “I saw Gary Payton II two days ago. I'm like, what's going on? He's like waiting on [Jonathan Kuminga]. He is, Al Horford is.” With Kuminga presumably set to return next season, and seemingly under the Warriors' financial terms, the team will retain cap flexibility and avoid losing a core piece for nothing. It also positions them to move quickly on Horford or similar targets to solidify their frontcourt. If Kuminga opts for the qualifying offer, Golden State keeps his rights but risks future complications with trade leverage. Either way, the outcome of this standoff will likely shape how the Warriors enter training camp—and whether they can maximize what may be the final competitive window of the Stephen Curry era.
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