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SPORTS Saturday 2 November 2019
Alvarez moves up to take on big puncher Kovalev in Las Vegas

By TIM DAHLBERG one that might be easier
AP Boxing Writer since Kovalev is 36 and has
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Canelo struggled in recent fights.
Alvarez didn't have to take The Russian once ruled the
the risk. Not at light heavy- light heavyweight division,
weight, and not against a knocking out almost every-
puncher like Sergey Kova- one he got in the ring with,
lev. A third fight with Gen- but now chases what could
nadiy Golovkin was there be his last big payday.
for the asking. There were While Alvarez will be notice-
other fights against lesser ably smaller in the ring, he
opponents that would brings hand speed, body
have given Alvarez the punching prowess and the
same kind of payday he's unmistakable confidence
grown used to collecting of a fighter who has been
every time he puts on the there before into the fight
gloves for real. at the MGM Grand Gar-
But on Saturday night the den. "I'm entering his zone
Mexican middleweight of comfort but we're ready
champion will go into the for this," Alvarez said. "We
ring looking for a title in have the intelligence and
his fourth weight class, this skill to beat Kovalev and
time at 175 pounds. He'll win the fight." Sergey Kovalev, right, and Canelo Alvarez pose for photographers during a news conference
do it against Kovalev, who The bout is the third for Al- Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Las Vegas. The two are scheduled to fight in a WBO light heavyweight
packs a lot of power in his varez under an 11-fight title bout Saturday in Las Vegas.
punches even if some sus- deal he signed with stream- Associated Press
pect he's been in the ring ing service DAZN that will and power but also the ring without a doubt and it's a knockouts in 38 fights —
a bit too long for his own pay him a staggering $365 smarts gathered over a pro huge risk for me but we're and must prove he won't
good. And while Alvarez million over five years. At 29 career that began in Mexi- ready." fade in the late rounds as
is a big favorite, even he he's in his prime and argu- co when he was just 15. Kovalev says he's ready, he did in his draw in the
doesn't know how he'll re- ably the biggest attraction The only real question too, and not just to collect first fight with Ward. But
act to being hit by a full- in boxing — not to mention against Kovalev is if he the reported $12 million he's been in big fights be-
fledged light heavyweight. Mexico's most high-profile can take punches from a purse that is the largest of fore and shouldn't be over-
That's the intrigue that sells athlete. bigger fighter and make his career. He fought just whelmed by the moment.
the fight — but it potentially Alvarez has lost only once, Kovalev respect his punch- 10 weeks ago in his native "Canelo is really talented
also makes for a risky eve- a 2013 defeat to Floyd May- ing power. Russia and was in trouble and really famous, so this
ning for Alvarez. weather Jr. that he blames "We know what he has and against Anthony Yarde be- is a lot of pressure to me,"
"You don't know until you on inexperience and what this challenge rep- fore finally stopping him, Kovalev said. "But believe
get in the ring," Alvarez said would become a cham- resents," Alvarez said. "We and says he feels reinvigo- me, I'm in boxing already
through an interpreter. "Go- pion in four weight divisions know he has long arms, his rated under new trainer since I was 11 years old and
ing up two divisions is a big should he defeat Kovalev. jab is really strong, and he Buddy McGirt. I should be fine. It's nothing
challenge in itself." He's at or near the top of knows how to move, but To win, Kovalev must be for me. I should just get in-
It's a challenge Alvarez most pound-for-pound lists, we've trained for this. He's able to make Alvarez feel side the ring and do my
believes he can handle, a fighter with hand speed my strongest opponent the power that led to 29 best job."q

Hamlin racing for NASCAR title with torn labrum in shoulder

By STEPHEN HAWKINS Hamlin said the problem at Daytona is Feb. 9, which
AP Sports Writer wasn't aggravated when is 12 weeks after this sea-
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — he got horse-collared and son's finale at Homestead.
Denny Hamlin is racing for pulled to the ground by a The pending surgery took
a NASCAR championship member of Joey Logano's Hamlin off the list of possi-
with a torn labrum in his left crew in a scuffle after the bilities to run for Lexus in the
shoulder that will require race in Virginia last week- Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona
offseason surgery. end. in January.
Hamlin said Friday he has The 15-season Cup Series Hamlin said the torn la-
had shoulder issues for veteran arrived at Texas brum, which is cartilage in
quite some time, and really second in the standings the ball and socket joint of
doesn't know what caused with two races remaining to the shoulder, was progres-
them. He said the torn tis- qualify for the title-deciding sively feeling worse late
sue hasn't affected his driv- finale at Homestead. He in the summer until he got
ing the No. 11 Toyota for has won at Texas three a cortisone shot several
Joe Gibbs Racing. times, including the spring weeks ago.
"It's something that's been race seven months ago, "That's like my saving grace
nagging really for years," but is still looking for his Cup when this thing started hurt-
said Hamlin, who turns 39 title. ing, so that really changed. Denny Hamlin carries his daughter, Molly, during introductions
later this month. "It just got Hamlin said he will be ready It went from being immobile for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway in
to the point where it was for the 2020 season-open- to feels like there's nothing Martinsville, Va., Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019.
really bad, got it scanned ing Daytona 500. He said wrong with it," Hamlin said. Associated Press
and figured out what it the recovery time after sur- "Doctors came a gave that just to kind of get me things."q
was." gery is 10 weeks; qualifying me a little bit of relief with into the offseason part of