Category Archives: Deportes

Xabi Alonso Opting to Stay on as Bayer Leverkusen Manager for 2024-25 Season

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Xabi Alonso is staying put…

The 42-year-old Spanish professional football manager and former player has confirmed he’ll stay on as manager of Bayer Leverkusen for the 2024-25 season despite strong interest from some of Europe’s biggest teams, including Bayern Munich and Liverpool, as he sees the club as the best place for him to continue his development as a coach.

Xabi AlonsoAlonso, who has led Leverkusen to the verge of their first Bundesliga title, told a news conference on Friday that he used the international break to consider his options and come to his own decision.

“It has been a season with a lot of speculation regarding my future,” Alonso said. “I wanted to use the international break to reflect a little bit better and to take a decision.

“Last week, I had a good meeting with Simon [Rolfes, the club’s sporting director] with Fernando [Carro, CEO], when I informed them of my decision to continue being coach of Bayer Leverkusen.

“For sure all the decisions, you need to analyze well, and I tried to take the right ones, I tried to take the ones that come in a natural way, and at this moment I feel this is the right place for me to be to develop as a coach.

“I am a young coach, but I have to feel it, and right now I feel that this is the right place.”

Sources told ESPN on Thursday that Liverpool had ruled out appointing their former midfielder as Jurgen Klopp‘s successor, while honorary Bayern president Uli Hoeness said Thursday that hiring Alonso this summer is “probably impossible.”

Alonso’s reputation as a coach has grown quickly since his appointment at the BayArena in October 2022 — particularly this season, where his team are yet to lose in a German-record 38 games and look likely to end Bayern’s 11-year hegemony over the Bundesliga title.

“It’s a process, the development of the team is parallel with my development as a manager,” he added. “This is my first complete season as a manager. I still have a lot of things to prove myself, to experience, and right now I have a situation in the club where I feel really stable, really happy with the team and the club.”

The former Spain international is expected to be a target for Real Madrid when Carlo Ancelotti‘s contract expires in 2026.

Meanwhile on Friday, Klopp said he understands Alonso’s decision to stay, saying he made a similar decision earlier in his managerial career.

“One point I can speak about is a young manager being at a club where he’s doing really well, I had a similar situation and did pretty much the same if you want and never regretted it. That’s pretty much everything I can say about it,” Klopp told a news conference.

“Xabi is doing a really good job there. Leverkusen has a good team, probably will keep the team together, I think that’s possible this year as well. Not all years [are] like that. So I understand that he wants to do that. For the other stuff [any disappointment he isn’t coming to Liverpool?] there’s nothing I have to say.”

Leverkusen face Hoffenheim in the league on Saturday as they look to maintain their 10-point lead over Bayern in the standings.

They remain in contention for a treble this season, with a German cup semifinal against Dusseldorf set for April 3 and a two-legged tie against West Ham in the Europa League quarterfinals later that month.

“We are in a situation that we have to enjoy. Still two months to go, it’s going to be really intense, really demanding but enjoyable hopefully.

“And we need to give our best, and for that, it was good that last week was my deadline for sure to take that decision. From now on, all the cards are on the table and we go full gas for the big goals that we have ahead of us.”

Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel, who is leaving the Bavarian giants at the end of the season, was asked before Alonso’s news conference about who he thought could replace him.

“Next question,” he said. “I’ll certainly not be involved in the discussion about my successor.”

Teofimo Lopez Finalizing Deal to Defend WBO Junior Welterweight Title Against Steve Claggett

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Teofimo Lopez is readying for a hot box summer…

The 26-year-old Honduran American boxer, who has held multiple world championships in two weight classes, is finalizing a deal to fight Steve Claggett for Lopez’s WBO junior welterweight title on June 29 in Miami, per ESPN.

Teofimo LopezThe 140-pound title fight will headline Top Rank Boxing on ESPN.

Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) made the first defense of his title during Super Bowl Week in February when he defeated Jamaine Ortiz via unanimous decision. The fight was ugly, with boos raining down at the Las Vegas venue as Ortiz used his box-and-move style to frustrate Lopez, who had trouble cutting off the ring.

Lopez complained about Ortiz’s style and now will face a Canadian brawler, a fighter he’ll have no trouble finding in the ring. And Lopez will return to South Florida, where he grew up.

ESPN’s No. 2 junior welterweight, Lopez is the former undisputed lightweight champion. He defeated future Boxing Hall of Famer Vasiliy Lomachenko in October 2020 to unify 135-pound belts and crash the pound-for-pound list. But in his first defense, he lost to George Kambosos in November 2021 in ESPN‘s Upset of the Year.

Lopez subsequently moved up to 140 pounds and following two wins, he defeated Josh Taylor in June for the lineal junior welterweight championship.

Claggett (38-7-2, 26 KOs) is a 34-year-old from Calgary who will be fighting on the world-class level for the first time. He has won nine straight fights since a decision loss to fellow Canadian-level fighter Mathieu Germain in May 2021.

Claggett is currently scheduled to fight Mike Ohan Jr. in a 10-round bout April 11 in Montreal, but that matchup won’t take place now that he’s fighting Lopez, sources said.

The bout will be Claggett’s first title shot, where he’ll be installed as a major underdog.

Former featherweight champion Robeisy Ramirez will compete in the co-feature, sources said. Ramirez lost his title via majority decision to Rafael Espinoza in December in ESPN’s 2023 Upset of the Year.

Erika Cruz to Defend WBA Junior Featherweight Title Against Nazarena Romero

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Erika Cruz is going on the defensive…

The 33-year-old  Mexican professional boxer will defend her WBA junior featherweight title against Nazarena Romero on Saturday, May 11, per promoter Matchroom Boxing.

Erika Cruz,The fight at the Palenque de la Feria National de San Marcos in Aguascalientes, Mexico, will be the co-main event of Eduardo Hernandez‘s junior lightweight bout against Daniel Lugo.

Cruz (17-2, 3 KOs) is a two-division champion. She won the WBA featherweight belt with a technical decision victory over Jelena Mrdjenovich in April 2021. She made two successful defenses before losing the title to Amanda Serrano in a unification bout in February 2023. Cruz then moved up in weight and defeated Mayerlin Rivas in November to grab the WBA title at 122 pounds.

Her focus now is on title unification.

“I’m stepping into the ring not just to defend my title, but to conquer,” Cruz said in a news release. “Romero may be the mandatory opponent, but my sights are set on bigger dreams. Yamileth Mercado [WBC], Ellie Scotney [IBF], Segolene Lefebvre [WBO] — I’m coming for all the belts. Romero won’t be the one to stand in the way of my destiny.”

Romero (13-0-1, 7 KOs), of Argentina, will be fighting in her second consecutive title bout. In June, she challenged Rivas for the WBA junior featherweight belt, but the bout ended in a technical draw after Romero, who suffered a cut over her left eye because of an accidental clash of heads, was unable to continue. She now has another chance at the same belt against Cruz.

“I think my time has come,” Romero said. “In my life nothing was, is, or will be easy. I was born for this, and I feel like the best of all. I prepare like a champion, I think like a champion and I need to live like a champion.”

Frank Ramos Among 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Awards of Excellence Honorees

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Frank Ramos has entered a special recognition…

The 85-year-old Latino former public relations director for the New York Jets has been named among the 15 recipients of the Pro Football Hall of Fame‘s third annual Awards of Excellence.

Frank RamosThe Hall of Fame’s awards are presented in five categories to those significant contributors who’ve helped drive the accomplishments of their profession, individual NFL clubs and pro football.

Ramos, a New Yorker and transplanted Floridian, is the longest-serving PR representative for a single New York pro sports team.

He spent his entire 39-year public relations career with the Green & White, from their first season known as the Jets in 1963 through 2002. He never missed a game — working 681 in all — with the highlight coming on January 12, 1969, at Miami’s Orange Bowl when the Jets stunned the favored Baltimore Colts 16-7 in Super Bowl III.

Ramos was selected as a member of the Super Bowl PR group each year of his career and was often a key voice in helping shape the league’s public relations positions.

“I’m excited to be going into the Hall with dear friend Bill Hampton and with my fellow PR directors, Harvey Greene of the [Miami] Dolphins and Dan Edwards of the [Jacksonville] Jaguars,” Ramos said Wednesday night. “I was very fortunate to have such a long career with the Jets and to have worked with outstanding owners Sonny Werblin, Leon Hess and Woody Johnson. But I wouldn’t be going to Canton without the help of so many former outstanding assistants, associates and interns. I still bleed Jets Green. Go J-E-T-S.”

The five groups presenting the Awards of Excellence — assistant coaches, athletic trainers, equipment managers, public relations personnel and film/video directors — created their own selection committees and set their own criteria for choosing their class members.

Ramos and the other 2024 honorees will be recognized in Canton, OH, with an evening reception on June 26 and a luncheon emceed by Hall of Famer Dan Fouts on June 27.

Ezequiel Tovar Agrees to $63.5 million, Seven-Year Contract Extension with Colorado Rockies

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Ezequiel Tovar is extending his stay…

The 22-year-old Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop has finalized a $63.5 million, seven-year contract extension with the Colorado Rockies, a deal that includes a team option for 2031 that, if exercised, would boost the agreement to $84 million over eight seasons.

Ezequiel Tovar,

Tovar gets a $1.5 million signing bonus and salaries of $1.5 million this season, $4 million in 2025, $5 million in 2026, $8 million in 2027, $11 million in 2028, $14 million in 2029 and $16 million in 2030. The Rockies’ option is for $23 million with a $2.5 million buyout.

Tovar’s deal supersedes a one-year contract agreed to on February 29 that called for a $745,000 salary while in the major leagues and $361,000 while in the minors.

“He has already proven he is one of the best shortstops in baseball, and we see him as a cornerstone of this franchise for years to come,” Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said in a statement.

Tovar, a Venezuela native, made his big league debut on September 22, 2022, and last year he became the youngest Rockies player to start on Opening Day at 21 years, 240 days.

He hit .253 with 15 homers, 73 RBIs and 11 stolen bases last season. He had 166 strikeouts and 25 walks. His .988 fielding percentage set a record for a rookie shortstop, topping .987 by the Rockies’ Troy Tulowitzki in 2007.

Tovar signed with the Rockies in 2017 for an $800,000 bonus.

Atlanta Braves to Open Season with Reynaldo Lopez as Team’s Fifth Starter

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It’s a Braves new season for Reynaldo Lopez…

The Atlanta Braves will open the season with the 30-year-old Dominican professional baseball pitcher as their fifth starter.

Reynaldo López,López, who signed a $30 million, three-year deal with the Braves in November, earned the rotation spot by allowing just four earned runs over 16 ⅔ innings in five spring appearances.

He surrendered 10 hits, walked six and struck out 13.

This marks a return to a starting role for Lopez after he was used exclusively as a reliever the past two seasons by the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians. He thrived out of the bullpen, posting a 3.02 ERA with 146 strikeouts in 131⅓ innings over 129 appearances.

But the Braves signed López early in free agency with an eye toward using the hard-throwing right-hander as a starter again. He made a total of 65 starts for the White Sox over the 2018 and ’19 seasons, going 17-22 with a 4.64 ERA.

López joins a rotation that also includes MLB All-Star Spencer Strider, Max Fried, Charlie Morton and another newcomer, Chris Sale.

It also makes sense for the Braves to use López as a starter early in the season, even if he winds up returning to the bullpen. If he began as a reliever, it would have been difficult to stretch out his arm later in the year for a starting role.

Atlanta, which has won six straight NL East titles, opens the season March 28 at Philadelphia.

Carlos Alcaraz Defeats Daniil Medvedev to Successfully Defend Indian Wells Title

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Carlos Alcaraz is celebrating a special repeat..

The 20-year-old Spanish tennis player, who arrived at Indian Wells full of doubt about his twisted right ankle, has left a two two-time champion.

Carlos AlcarazAlcaraz defeated Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (5), 6-1 for the second straight year in the men’s final on Sunday, earning his first title since winning Wimbledon last year.

Alcaraz sprained his ankle at the Rio Open in late February. His first practice at Indian Wells lasted 30 minutes without any movement. His first practice with his fellow pros “was really tough for me,” he said in a Tennis Channel interview.

Alcaraz outlasted Jannik Sinner in a three-set semifinal after needing three sets to get out of his second-round match.

“After every match I was feeling better,” Alcaraz said. “I was getting more confident after every match. Winning a Master 1000 again, a really important tournament to win, gives you motivation to keep going.”

Alcaraz became the first man to defend his Indian Wells title since Novak Djokovic won three in a row from 2014 to 2016. He beat Medvedev 6-3, 6-2 last year in the Southern California desert.

“It’s definitely your court, you like it here,” Medvedev told Alcaraz during the victory ceremony. “Hopefully you can one day let me play a little bit better here.”

Medvedev led 3-0 in the first set while Alcaraz had eight unforced errors over those games. The Spaniard won three games in a row to tie it 3-3.

The players held serve the rest of the set, with Alcaraz serving a love game to get into the tiebreaker. He led 3-0 and 5-2 before Medvedev tied it 5-5. Alcaraz won the next two points to close it out.

Alcaraz got the only two breaks in the second set, when Medvedev had one winner and nine errors.

For the match, Alcaraz hit 25 winners and had 26 unforced errors, while Medvedev had 11 winners and 23 unforced errors.

Alcaraz is the second player to win five or more ATP Masters 1000 titles before their 21st birthday since the series began in 1990. The other is Rafael Nadal.

Alcaraz earned $1.1 million for his win. That’s less than the $1.26 million the men’s champion received in 2023. This year more prize money was allocated to the earlier rounds, reducing the champions’ prize money by nearly 13%.

Jose Aldo Coming Out of Retirement to Fight Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301

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Jose Aldo is returning to the Octagon…

The 37-year-old Brazilian mixed martial artist, a UFC Hall of Fame member and longtime former UFC featherweight champion, will come out of retirement and fight Jonathan Martinez in a bantamweight fight at UFC 301 on May 4 in Aldo’s native Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Jose AldoAldo retired from the UFC after a loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278 in August 2022. He transitioned to boxing, fighting in the ring three times, including one exhibition. His most high-profile boxing match came against former UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens at Jorge Masvidal‘s Gamebred Boxing 4 in April 2023. Aldo and Stephens fought to a draw.

Despite his retirement, Aldo remained under contract with the UFC. Sources said he has one fight remaining on his deal.

Aldo (31-8) had won three straight and was closing in on a UFC bantamweight title shot before the loss to Dvalishvili. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame last summer. Aldo has the most title defenses in UFC featherweight history (7); including his time in WEC, he has nine title defenses.

Martinez (19-4) has won six in a row. A Los Angeles native who trains out of Factory X in Colorado, he has two rare leg-kick TKOs in his past three fights. Martinez, 29, is 10-3 in the UFC since his debut in 2018.

News of Aldo’s return was first reported by Brazilian outlet AG Fight.

Carlos Alcaraz Defeats Jannik Sinner to Reach Indian Wells Men’s Final

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Carlos Alcaraz is one step closer to defending his title…

The 20-year-old Spanish professional tennis player outlasted Jannik Sinner 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 to end the Italian’s 19-match winning streak and advance to the Indian Wells Open final on Saturday night.

Carlos Alcaraz, Alcaraz retained his world No. 2 ranking with the victory and extended his winning streak to 11 matches at Indian Wells, where he’ll play fourth-seeded Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s title match.

It’s a rematch of last year’s final, won by Alcaraz in straight sets.

Sinner led 2-1 in the first set when the match was suspended for more than three hours because of rain in the Southern California desert.

Sinner went on to dominate the first set before Alcaraz changed his tactics. The Spaniard started coming to the net more and moving Sinner up and back.

“I had to change my game a little bit in the second set, that was a good thing for me, to change my style a little bit,” Alcaraz said. “I changed the return position, and that’s why I gave myself a chance to put more balls in play so I could wait for my chances (to attack).”

Sinner could have knocked Alcaraz out of the second spot with a win. He had won 19 matches in a row dating to last year, including 16 straight this year.

Alcaraz earned the only break of the second set in the fourth game with a forehand drop volley winner. He faced a break point on his serve in the seventh game, but shook it off eventually served out the set.

Alcaraz broke Sinner in the third and fifth games of the third. The players were blasting the ball from both sides and attacking the net, which made for several entertaining and sharply angled volley exchanges.

Alcaraz led 40-love on his serve for his first match point when he netted a backhand. Sinner’s smash dashed Alcaraz’s second match point before the Spaniard closed it out with a forehand crosscourt winner.

Sinner had 38 unforced errors to 24 for Alcaraz and the Italian had 21 winners to 19 for Alcaraz.

“I was too predictable at some points,” Sinner said. “I think that’s the lesson for today. We will work on certain things, and hopefully I will get better.”

Alexandre Pantoja to Make Second Title Defense Against Steve Erceg at UFC 301

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Alexandre Pantoja is going on the defensive again…

The 33-year-old Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and UFC flyweight champion will make his second title defense against Steve Erceg at UFC 301 on May 4 in Rio de Janeiro.

Alexandre PantojaUFC did not specify whether the 125-pound bout will headline the pay-per-view event.

UFC 301 will take place inside Farmasi Arena in the promotion’s first trip to Rio de Janeiro since January 2023.

Pantoja (27-5) was expected to appear on the card from the moment it was announced. He was born in Rio de Janeiro but has not fought in Brazil in his 14-fight UFC career. He trains out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. ESPN.com ranks Pantoja the No. 7 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Erceg (12-1) has seemingly emerged out of nowhere to claim the No. 1 contender spot. Fighting out of Perth, Australia, Erceg signed with UFC midway through last year. He is 3-0 in UFC, with two wins by decision and one finish — a TKO against Matt Schnell earlier this month at a UFC Fight Night event in Las Vegas.

Erceg, 28, has eight career finishes in 12 wins, including six by submission.