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Wednesday, 22 November 2023 SPORTS 9

Andre Ward Criticizes WBC Ranking

of Francis Ngannou as “Disrespectful

FORMER two-weight world champion Andre Ward voiced his
disapproval of the WBC’s decision to rank Francis Ngannou

as the tenth-best heavyweight after his professional boxing
debut against Tyson Fury. Despite Ngannou’s strong perfor-
mance, Ward sees the move as an example of politics within
sanctioning bodies.

In an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Ward
emphasized the impact on fighters’ livelihoods, stating that
rankings decisions shouldn’t be influenced by personal

connections. He criticized Mauricio Sulaiman, WBC President,
for allegedly recommending Ngannou for the ranking.

Ward highlighted the potential consequences for other

fighters striving to enter the top 10, expressing concern The Olympic Gold Medalist concluded by expressing a lack
about the arbitrary nature of rankings decisions. of respect for the sanctioning bodies, urging them to priori-
tize fairness and transparency in their rankings. Ngannou’s
He pointed out the influence of financial contributions from unexpected performance has sparked a broader discussion

fighters to the sanctioning bodies, noting that such deci- about the role of politics in determining fighter rankings
sions can significantly impact fighters’ career trajectories. within the boxing community.

McLaren Calls for Track Adjustment After

Lando Norris’ Vegas Grand Prix Crash

Stella clarified that the crash wasn’t due to a car failure
but rather a combination of the track’s bump and the cold

tires catching Norris by surprise. The bump, located at Turn
11, has been a concern throughout the weekend, causing
instances of oversteer and presenting a challenge for drivers.

Stella urged for prompt action to address the bump, espe-
cially if future races continue at night when low tempera-
tures pose challenges for tire grip. The conditions of the Las
Vegas Grand Prix, including cold temperatures, heavy fuel

loads, and potential aerodynamic disturbances, contributed
to the challenging environment for drivers.
A dramatic incident during the Las Vegas Grand Prix,
McLaren’s Lando Norris escaped unharmed after crashing Lando Norris, released from the hospital with a clean

on Lap 4. bill of health, expressed disappointment at the incident,
mentioning that he lost control on the restart, causing the
Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team boss, identified a bump on crash. McLaren’s call for track adjustments highlights the
the track as a contributing factor to the crash, emphasizing importance of ensuring safety and optimal racing condi-

the need for adjustments before the next race at the venue. tions for future events.