Lizbeth Ovalle Scores Two Goals to Help Propel Mexico to CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup Semifinals

Lizbeth Ovalle’s golden hour continues…

The 24-year-old Mexican footballer, who plays as a midfielder for Tigres UANL and the Mexico women’s national team, scored two goals as Mexico advanced to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup with a 3-2 victory over Paraguay on Sunday.

Lizbeth Ovalle Karen Luna also scored and Esthefanny Barreras saved a penalty for Mexico, which followed up its landmark victory over the U.S. on Monday by outlasting Paraguay in a thrilling second half featuring four goals and many more chances for both teams. 

Mexico will face Brazil in the semifinals in San Diego on Wednesday.

Mexico conceded its first two goals of the Gold Cup, but still hung on with the backing of an unsurprisingly supportive crowd of 13,229 at BMO Stadium in the U.S. city that’s considered the second home of Mexico’s national teams.

Ovalle extended her star-making performance in this tournament by scoring in each half, giving her five goals in Gold Cup play. The Tigres forward also scored the first goal in the first half of Mexico’s 2-0 stunner over the U.S. with a floating shot over the defense.

Camila Barbosa and Rebeca Fernández scored in the second half for Paraguay, which lost to Mexico for the third time in the nations’ four meetings.

Mexico reached the Gold Cup quarterfinals with three clean sheets in group play, capped by that victory over the powerhouse Americans — just its second win ever over the U.S. and first since 2013.

Although Mexico didn’t qualify for last year’s Women’s World Cup, it still hasn’t lost an international match since an exhibition defeat in September 2022.

Mexico dominated play early and took the lead in the 31st minute when a centering pass from California-born-and-raised forward Scarlett Camberos bounced through Paraguay’s defense to Ovalle, who hit the far bottom corner of the net.

Mexico scored again in the 49th minute when Ovalle’s corner was deflected to the top of the penalty area to the 26-year-old Luna, who hammered it home for the second goal of her first international tournament with Mexico.

Paraguay forward Jessica Martínez got a penalty shot in the 51st minute after she was taken down in the box, but Barreras made a diving arm stop and smothered the follow-up, prompting the Los Angeles crowd to chant her name.

Paraguay kept up its attack, but Mexico defender Rebeca Bernal blocked one shot with her body and headed another off the goal line in a lengthy scramble moments later.

Barbosa finally got Paraguay on the board in the 64th minute, converting Dulce Quintana‘s corner for the first goal allowed by Mexico in the tournament.

Mexico regained a two-goal lead when Stephany Mayor forced a turnover and broke in all alone on goalkeeper Alicia Bobadilla, who stopped Mayor’s shot but couldn’t get in front of Ovalle’s rebound score.

Fernandez got behind Mexico’s back line moments later and made it 3-2. But Paraguay couldn’t find an equalizer.

Sebastian Baez Outlasts Alejandro Tabilo to Claim Chile Open Title

Sebastian Baez is rockin’ & rollin’ through South America…

The 23-year-old Argentine tennis player completed his South American clay-court swing on a high note on Sunday in Santiago, rallying past home favorite Alejandro Tabilo 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 in the final of the Chile Open to secure his second title in as many weeks.

Sebastian BaezLast week Baez triumphed at the ATP 500 in Rio de Janeiro.

Baez has won nine consecutive matches and will climb to a career-high No. 19 in the ATP Rankings on Monday.

He found his best tennis when it mattered most on Court Jaime Fillol, earning 12 of the championship clash’s final 16 games to emerge victorious after two hours and 14 minutes.

Baez’s winning streak appeared in jeopardy when this year’s Auckland champion Tabilo made a quick start in front of a partisan crowd. Chants of “Chi! Chi! Chi! Le! Le! Le! Viva Chile!” filled the air as day turned to night and the lefty moved to within a set of earning his second ATP Tour crown.

Tabilo also was able to draw confidence from the pair’s first ATP Head2Head meeting last year in Cordoba, which he won in straight sets. But one of the key differences in this encounter was how Baez performed under pressure.

When the pair met in Cordoba, Baez saved just one of the six break points he faced. In Santiago, he saved eight of 10 break points while converting five of his 16 opportunities according to Infosys ATP Stats.

After an uncharacteristically out-of-rhythm start from Baez, he locked in from the back of the court for the final two sets. Many rallies were grinding duels from behind the baseline and in those situations, Tabilo was unable to consistently find ways to put his opponent under duress.

Tabilo found his moments and hit some jaw-dropping shots, including a stunning backhand down the line to help him break back when Baez served for the match at 5-3 in the deciding set.

But the second seed was able to successfully ride those waves of momentum and rely on his heavy forehand to control the action. Despite losing serve on the verge of victory, he broke in the next game, hitting a final forehand winner to capture his fifth title since the start of the 2023 season.

Baez is now fifth in the ATP Live Race To Turin and is 16-5 in 2024. He’s trying to qualify for the ATP Finals for the first time.

With the win, he became the first player to win multiple titles during the South American clay-court swing since Cristian Garin in 2020.

Catarina Macario Scores First Women’s Super League Goal in Chelsea Debut

Catarina Macario has returned with a vengeance…

In her return from an ACL injury that had kept her out of the game since her former club team Lyon‘s final game of the 2021-22 campaign, the 24-year-old Brazilian soccer player scored a goal in her Chelsea debut.

Catarina MacarioMacario had originally hoped to be back sooner, but ended up missing more than 20 months, including the USWNT‘s participation in the Women’s World Cup in 2023.

But Macario, who plays internationally for the United States, wasn’t the only player to score her first Women’s Super League goals for Chelsea.

Nathalie Björn and Mayra Ramírez also netted goals for Chelsea as they cruised to a 4-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday to go back to the top of the table, above Manchester City on goal difference.

Sweden defender Bjorn, who joined the Blues from Everton in January, broke the deadlock in the 38th minute after Leicester failed to clear a corner, hooking a shot back across the goal and over the head of keeper Lize Kop to make it 1-0.

Ramirez, another January arrival, added the second in the 44th minute with a brilliant solo effort, winning the ball in her own half and running half the length of the field before coolly rounding Kop and slotting the ball home.

Winger Johanna Rytting Kaneryd added a third before the Brazil-born Macario came off the bench to round out the scoring.

Chelsea moved back to the summit on 37 points thanks to a three-goal cushion over Manchester City, who beat Everton 2-1 on Saturday.

Alex de Minaur Defeats Casper Ruud to Win Second Straight Mexican Open Title

Make that back-to-back titles for Alex de Minaur. 

The 25-year-old Spanish & Uruguayan Australian tennis player defeated Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday to become the first player to win back-to back titles in the Mexican Open since 2012.

Alex de MinaurThe third-seeded de Minaur won his eighth ATP title to become the fourth player to repeat as champion in Mexico and the first since David Ferrer in 2010-12.

de Minaur won his 10th consecutive match in Acapulco to break a four-match losing streak in ATP finals, including in Rotterdam earlier this year.

“Acapulco is becoming like a second home,” De Minaur said. “I thought that it was impossible to get feel better after what happened last year, but I came back a year later to defend the title and it has been true pleasure.”

Alex de Minaur The sixth-seeded Ruud missed the chance to win his 11th title in the ATP and his first ATP 500 title.

de Minaur took an early break to take a 3-1 lead in the first set before both hold their serve for the 6-4 score.

In the second set, both players exchanged breaks in the first four games and de Minaur got a break in the seventh game to take the lead.

The Mexican Open was nearly canceled because a Category 5 hurricane hit the city four months ago, leaving 52 people dead. The Diamond Zone, an oceanfront area replete with hotels and where the tennis arena is located, was devastated.

“We wanted to bring some joy to this wonderful city,” de Minaur said, “and I’m sure that Acapulco will shine stronger than ever.”

Taila Santos Signs Exclusive Deal with Professional Fighters League

Taila Santos is switching leagues…

The 30-year-old Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC title challenger has signed an exclusive deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

Taila SantosOfficials haven’t formally announced the deal, but ESPN sources confirmed the news after an initial report by OCP News on Friday. 

Santos (19-3) signed with the UFC after earning a deal on Dana White‘s Contender Series in 2018. She went 4-1 in her first five appearances, including wins over notable names like Molly McCannRoxanne Modafferi and Joanne Wood.

She challenged Valentina Shevchenko for the 125-pound championship in 2022, and nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history in a split-decision loss.

She made her last UFC appearance against Erin Blanchfield in August, losing by decision.

The PFL will promote a women’s flyweight division for the first time in its regular-season history. The division will debut on April 4 in San Antonio.

Defending Champion Alex de Minaur Advances to Mexican Open Final

Alex de Minaur is heading back to the Mexican Open final…

The 25-year-old Spanish & Uruguayan Australian tennis player, the tournament’s defending champion, advanced to the final when Jack Draper retired in the third set on Friday.

Alex de MinaurThe third-seeded de Minaur won the first set 6-3, dropped the second 6-2 and was leading 4-0 in the third when Draper, who was visibly diminished physically, called it quits.

de Minaur will face Casper Ruud, who pulled off an upset by beating second-seeded Holger Rune 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the late match.

“I’m happy to be in the final, but I´m hoping that Jack is doing fine. He has a tremendous talent, and hopefully he can recover for the upcoming tournaments,” de Minaur said. “It’s hard to play when your opponent is not OK physically, but you need to remain focused.”

de Minaur won his ninth straight match in Mexico and became the first defending champion to reach the Acapulco final since David Ferrer in 2013.

de Minaur has seven career ATP titles, with last year at Acapulco his most recent.

Draper, from England, was playing in his first semifinal of an ATP 500 tournament.

In the other semifinal, Ruud lost the first set and then was down 3-1 in the third with Rune serving, but he managed a couple of breaks and held his serve to take the win.

“I did not get the best start, and the third set looked really bad. I just tried to stay in there and it seemed like Holger was struggling, and at the end it worked for me,” Ruud said.

Ruud will try to win his 10th career title, the first one in an ATP 500.

Rune, who is No. 7 in the ATP rankings, lost in the Acapulco semifinals for the second year in a row.

Sebastian Fundora Upsets Tim Tszyu to Capture WBC & WBO Junior Middleweight Titles

Sebastian Fundora has pulled off an upset…

In one of the bloodiest fights in recent memory, the 26-year-old Mexican American boxer scored the upset with a split-decision victory over Tim Tszyu to capture the WBC and WBO junior middleweight titles on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.

Sebastian Fundora One judge scored the fight for Tszyu, 116-112, but was overruled by 116-112 and 115-113 tallies for Fundora. If Tszyu won the final round, the Australian star would have pulled out a draw.

Nicknamed “The Towering Inferno” for his gangly, 6-foot-5 ½ 154-pound frame, Fundora replaced Keith Thurman (ruptured biceps) on 11 days’ notice and stepped into his first title shot coming off his first defeat.

Last April, Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) suffered a seventh-round knockout loss to Brian Mendoza in one of the year’s biggest upsets. He entered the ring a decided underdog and lost the first two rounds on all three cards.

However, the fight seemed to change when Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs) suffered a deep gash on his forehead late in Round 2 due to an accidental elbow from Fundora.

Given the nine-inch height difference, such an accident was more likely than usual.

The blood never stopped flowing into Tszyu’s eyes for the remainder of the bout. The ringside doctor threatened to halt the fight following Round 3 but allowed it to continue. Tszyu, 29, never complained and never stopped coming forward.

“I’m an old, throwback fighter,” said Tszyu, who entered the night rated No. 2 by ESPN at 154 pounds. “I couldn’t see, but all credit goes to the man who won tonight. These things happen. The momentum was rolling, swinging hard in the first two rounds, and then boom, you’re blinded completely.

“This is boxing and this is part of the sport. Congratulations to Fundora. He’s the new king of 154. We’ll bounce back.”

Fundora also faced serious adversity. His nose bled profusely from the opening round onward, and his mouth was pouring blood as well. It made for a scene out of a horror flick, with both fighters’ faces crimson masks.

It made for great action, too, as Fundora and Tszyu furiously exchanged in a slugfest for two 154-pound titles.

“I didn’t want to break my nose today, but … this is boxing, you’re going to get hurt and you just have to be smart,” said Fundora, who entered the ring as ESPN’s No. 5 boxer at 154 pounds. “He’s a world-class fighter. He was a world champion for a reason.”

Fundora executed a disciplined game plan and used his long southpaw jab to pepper Tszyu from range. He was never dragged into a firefight, unlike in past fights, particularly Fundora’s 2022 TKO win over Erickson Lubin, in which he was floored, and in his loss to Mendoza, when he was up wide on the cards before being stopped.

“I’ve been telling everybody this whole camp, I’m gonna use my brain,” said Fundora, who fights out of Coachella, California. He was lined up for a fight with Serhii Bohachuk on PBC PPV on Prime Video undercard before he received the call to replace Thurman.

With the victory, Fundora and his sister Gabriela became the first brother and sister to be full-fledged champions in boxing history. Gabriela retained her IBF flyweight title in January with a TKO victory over Christina Cruz.

“It means the world,” Fundora said.

Tszyu, the son of Hall of Fame boxer Kostya Tszyu, broke out last year with a trio of victories. Last March, he scored a career-best win with a stoppage of former champion Tony Harrison two months after he was set to fight Jermell Charlo for the undisputed championship. That bout was canceled due to Charlo’s hand injury.

Tszyu stayed busy with a first-round knockout victory over Carlos Ocampo and then outpointed Mendoza in October. Afterward, Tszyu announced that he would campaign in the U.S. moving forward as he set his sights on the marquee fights.

Thurman presented a recognizable name to raise Tszyu’s profile, but his injury changed plans 11 days out. Tszyu adjusted on the fly to a 6-foot-5½ southpaw after he prepared all training camp for a 5-foot-8 orthodox boxer.

And Tszyu appeared in control against Fundora until the cut. He landed some powerful shots down the stretch, but Fundora’s active jab won the fight. Tszyu had been looking ahead to potential summer showdowns with Terence Crawford or Errol Spence Jr., but a rematch with Fundora could loom.

Fundora might have other ideas, however.

Spence, who was dominated by Crawford via ninth-round TKO in July for the undisputed welterweight championship, entered the ring afterward and called for a shot at Fundora next.

“It’s time to get it on,” Spence said. “He got a pretty good height, but we’ll see. We’ll break him down like we always do.”

Alex de Minaur Outlasts Stefanos Tsitsipas to Advance to Mexican Open Semifinals

Alex de Minaur is celebrating a hard-fought win at the Mexican Open.

The 25-year-old Spanish & Uruguayan Australian tennis player, the defending champion, rallied past Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 on Thursday to book a second straight spot in the semifinals of the Mexican Open.

Alex de Minaurde Minaur, the ATP’s ninth-ranked player, struggled in the first set and lost it in 28 minutes but rallied in the next two to get the win in 2 hours, 6 minutes.

“It was a tough match. It was not very spectacular because the wind made it hard for both of us,” said de Minaur, who broke a 10-match losing streak to the No. 12 Tsitsipas. “My first win against Tsitsipas was meant to be in Acapulco, a place of great memories.”

In the semifinals, the third-seeded De Minaur will meet Jack Draper, who ousted Miomir Kecmanovic 6-2, 6-2.

de Minaur has won eight matches in a row in Mexico and became the first defending champion in Acapulco to reach the semifinals the following year since David Ferrer in 2013.

Tsitsipas was aiming for his third semifinal in Acapulco.

Patricio “Pitbull” Freire to Defend Featherweight Title Against Jeremy Kennedy at Bellator Champions Series Belfast

Patricio “Pitbull” Freire is going on the defensive…

The 36-year-old Brazilian mixed martial artist, who has built a reputation in Bellator for being relentless, will defend his featherweight championship against Jeremy Kennedy on just three weeks’ notice at Bellator Champions Series Belfast on March 22, Bellator has announced.

Patricio "Pitbull" FreireFreire (34-7) was scheduled to compete at last weekend’s PFL champions vs. Bellator champions event in Saudi Arabia, but his opponent, PFL titlist Jesus Pinedo, withdrew a week before the fight. 

The PFL booked 2023 championship finalist Gabriel Braga as a replacement opponent, but at weigh-ins, he was deemed unfit to compete.

Freire will now turn right around and take part in Bellator’s first standalone event since the company was bought by the PFL in November.

Freire, who is in his third reign as 145-pound champ and also had a run with the lightweight title, has not defended his featherweight belt since October 2022.

Since then, Freire had a nontitle bout on a Bellator vs. Rizin card, made an unsuccessful attempt at winning the bantamweight title and faced another opponent from Rizin, the top Japanese fight promotion.

Freire has lost two in a row.

Kennedy (19-3, 1 NC) has lost only once in his last eight bouts. He was already scheduled to be on the Belfast card, facing Ireland’s James Gallagher. Now the 31-year-old from Canada gets a title shot.

The addition of Freire vs. Kennedy gives the Bellator card two title bouts.

Bellator previously announced that Corey Anderson and Karl Moore will fight it out for the vacant light heavyweight title, which Vadim Nemkov left behind in order to move to heavyweight.

Jorge Masvidal Reportedly Training for Boxing Match, Planning MMA Return

Jorge Masvidal is thisclose to coming out of retirement.

The 39-year-old Cuban & Peruvian American former mixed martial artist and boxer has told ESPN that he’s training for a boxing match later this year and plans to fight again in MMA.

Jorge Masvidal“All I could tell you is I’m getting ready for some type of combat and it’s gonna be in the boxing realm,” Masvidal said in an interview this week. “I don’t know this or that or who it’s going to be.”

Masvidal, who announced his retirement in April after a loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287, has been teasing on social media a potential boxing match with fellow former UFC star Nate Diaz. The two fought for the inaugural, symbolic BMF title in 2019 with Masvidal winning via TKO due to a Diaz cut.

But Masvidal doesn’t plan on stopping there. He has also expressed interest in fighting Justin Gaethje, the current BMF titleholder, and Colby Covington, Masvidal’s former best friend and now hated rival. Covington defeated Masvidal via unanimous decision in 2022 at UFC 272.

“I think he’s a f—ing great fighter, but I also think I’d whup his motherf—ing ass,” Masvidal said of Gaethje. “I don’t know why. Something about his style. And I like his style because he comes to fight. He’s not coming to f—ing score points. He’s coming to fight and end a motherf—er.”

Masvidal didn’t have as many positive words for Covington — or any. The deeply personal beef between the two was not quashed after they fought. In fact, Masvidal allegedly attacked Covington and punched him outside a steakhouse in Miami Beach in the weeks after the fight. Masvidal was arrested for the offense and took a plea deal in November, pleading guilty to a misdemeanor and getting sentenced to time served.

“[I’d fight him] in the UFC or f—ing in the parking lot of KFC, I don’t f—ing know,” Masvidal said. “But it’s going to f—ing happen, brother. That’s all I know.”

Masvidal has been focusing on being a promoter during his short-lived retirement. His Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA promotion has an event Saturday in Orlando, Florida, headlined by a heavyweight title fight between former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos and former UFC veteran Alan Belcher.