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A22 SPORTS
Friday 17 November 2017
Wilder calls out Joshua again for big heavyweight fight

By TIM DAHLBERG lyn to keep his share of the
AP Boxing Writer heavyweight crown.
Deontay Wilder can’t wait Stiverne, who lost his title
to get Anthony Joshua into to Joshua in their first fight,
the ring. was criticized for being out
He’s just not sure when it’s of shape and didn’t land a
going to happen. punch. But Wilder showed
“I just want to prove who his brute power in stopping
is the best, that’s all I want him in the first round.
to do,” Wilder said Thurs- “It was a devastating
day. “I want people to see knockout,” Wilder said.
a great fight and witness “Being able to put on a
the two best heavyweights spectacular performance
compete with each other like I did put the icing on
one night in the ring.” the cake.”
Wilder, who is coming off Joshua is massively popular
an impressive first-round in England — his fight ear-
knockout of Bermane Sti- lier this year with Wladimir
verne, said his representa- Klitschko drew 90,000 to
tives have been in contact In this Jan. 17, 2015, file photo, Deontay Wilder, left, punches Bermane Stiverne during their WBC Wembley Stadium — but
with Joshua’s camp, and heavyweight championship boxing match in Las Vegas. not as well known in the
the sides are exploring Associated Press U.S. Wilder also is trying to
ways to stage the heavy- doesn’t even have a name has indicated their fighter fight,” Wilder said. “Josh- grow his fan base outside
weight unification fight. and can make millions and would have to get more ua’s last performance was his home state of Alabama
It could happen sometime millions of dollars off him. money than Joshua, too, OK, but it wasn’t his best. and there have been
next year, Wilder said, if Why would they risk taking because he has proven his They want to redeem that questions about the qual-
Joshua’s handlers aren’t a chance with the most ability to sell huge amounts and they want to make at ity of his opponents.
too protective of the British dangerous heavyweight in of tickets in England. least one more good pay- But both fighters are un-
fighter. the division?” There’s also the feeling that day before fighting me.” defeated with impressive
“I think they’re hesitant for There are other obstacles both fighters should fight Joshua fought last month, knockout records. When
a reason,” Wilder said in a to the fight, as well, includ- once more — perhaps on stopping Carlos Takam in they do meet it could be
phone call with The Associ- ing whether to hold it in the same night — to build the 10th round of a sloppy the biggest heavyweight
ated Press. “They’ve got a England or in the U.S. and up more anticipation for fight in Wales. fight since the days Mike
great thing going. He can on what pay-per-view the bout. A week later, Wilder de- Tyson was destroying ev-
fight literally a guy who network. Joshua’s camp “They want a warmup stroyed Stiverne in Brook- eryone in front of him. q

Manfred fications of baseballs after change the league-wide
a record 6,105 home runs
minimums.
were hit this season. “I’m not prepared to say
contract, a person familiar “There’s going to be activ- exactly what next year’s
with that negotiation said, ity on that front during the going to be,” Manfred
speaking on condition of offseason, and we’ll have said.
anonymity because no an- more to say on that at BALLPARK FINANCING
nouncement was made. some point during the off- Congress is considering in
The union informed MLB season,” Manfred said. tax legislation a prohibi-
on Thursday that it had KNEELING DURING NA- tion on the use of tax-free
set a Monday deadline TIONAL ANTHEM municipal bonds for ball-
for reaching a deal, ac- Oakland catcher Bruce park financing.“The clubs
cording to Manfred. The Maxwell was the only MLB and central baseball are
union doesn’t want the player to kneel during the very aware of that provi-
uncertainty of Otani’s situ- national anthem this year, sion in the tax bill and, like
ation to hold up teams’ ne- a contrast to the many NFL all good citizens, we intend
gotiations with other free players who participated to weigh on the propriety
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred delivers re- agents, another person in the protest. of that particular legislative
marks during a news conference at the annual MLB baseball familiar with the talks said, “I’m really proud of the change,” Manfred said.
owners meetings, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. also speaking on condi- way that our players INTERNATIONAL SIGNINGS
Associated Press tion of anonymity because have conducted them- Manfred said he has
Continued from Page 18 big league team. no announcement was selves with respect to the worked to stop impro-
Nine-inning games aver- MLB agreed last month to made. anthem,” Manfred said. prieties in international
aged a record 3 hours, 5 a framework with Nippon “I’m hopeful that the union “They’ve been respectful. signings. Atlanta general
minutes during the regular Professional Baseball that will find a way to get on That respect is completely manager John Coppolella
season and 3:29 during the would keep the rules of the board and we’ll open that consistent with the kind of resigned Oct. 2 along with
postseason. expired deal pretty much player market up and let good works they do in their special assistant Gordon
There are ongoing talks for in place this offseason, al- players who want to play communities every day.” Blakeley. On Wednesday,
a new posting system with lowing a high posting fee here see if they can get PROTECTIVE NETTING the Pittsburgh Pirates said
Japan to replace the deal of $20 million. signed,” Manfred said. Owners were updated they wouldn’t renew the
that expired Nov. 1, one Starting next offseason, the “These are relatively small about team decisions on contract of Latin American
that would allow star Jap- fee would be 15 percent issues.” expanded protective net- scouting director Rene
anese pitcher/outfielder of the guarantee of a ma- On other topics: ting, made after several Gayo. Both clubs said the
Shohei Otani to leave the jor league contract and RECORD HOME RUNS fans were injured by foul moves occurred after an
Pacific League’s Nippon 20 percent of the signing Owners were told experts balls this year. MLB has investigation revealed rule
Ham Fighters to sign with a bonus of a minor league are looking into the speci- not decided whether to violations. q