Page 15 - aruba-today-20220906

A15
sports Tuesday 6 sepTember 2022
Andy Ruiz beats Ortiz by decision in heavyweight showdown

By GREG BEACHAM right to the top of the head.
AP Sports Writer “It was very difficult,” Ruiz
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andy said.
Ruiz landed just enough “I was waiting for him to
big punches on Luis Ortiz load up, and countering
to make up for his mistakes him when he did. It was a
and caution in a narrow blessing we were able to
victory that kept him on be successful.”
the path to a chance to Earlier, Cruz (24-2-1, 17
become the heavyweight KOs) made his case for
champion again. a rematch with Gervon-
Ruiz knocked down Ortiz ta “Tank” Davis with his
three times on the way to a two-round demolition of
victory by unanimous deci- Ramirez, first knocking him
sion Sunday night. down face-first with a left
Former three-division world hook to the jaw before fin-
champion Abner Mares ishing him with a combina-
also fought to a majority tion in the corner.
draw with Miguel Flores in Davis, who narrowly beat
Mares’ return from a four- Cruz by decision last De-
year ring absence on the cember, smiled as he
pay-per-view undercard. watched the bout from
Lightweight Isaac “Pitbull” ringside amid chants of:
Cruz then stopped Edu- Andy Ruiz, Jr., right, fights Luis Ortiz in a WBC world heavyweight title eliminator boxing match, “We want Tank!” from
ardo Ramirez in the sec- Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Los Angeles. Cruz’s fans.
ond round with two vicious Associated Press Mares (31-3-2) hadn’t
knockdowns. Ruiz said. “I thought I did training with hopes of get- with Ruiz, but he made it to fought since his second loss
In the main event, Ruiz a beautiful job boxing him ting another shot at the the bell. to Leo Santa Cruz in June
(35-2, 22 KOs) grinded out around and handling his belts. “To everyone who said that 2018. He recovered from
a decision over Ortiz (33- pressure.” “I do not want to be wait- I’m old, I gave you a war surgery on a detached
3), a two-time world title The judges scored the bout ing,” Ruiz said. “I want to today,” Ortiz said. “I would retina shortly before the
challenger. The Southern 114-111, 114-111 and 113- fight at least three or four want a rematch. The eye start of the coronavirus
California native knocked 112 for Ruiz. The Associated times a year. I’m hungry, wasn’t a problem for me. pandemic, and his ring ab-
down the 43-year-old Or- Press also had Ruiz 114-111, man. I want to be a cham- Do you think I’m done after sence stretched on while
tiz twice in the second with the knockdowns mak- pion again.” the way I fought? Do the he landed a commentary
round and again in the ing the difference. After entering the ring in a people think I’m done? I job with Showtime.
seventh, but his Cuban op- Ruiz pulled off one of the blue-and-gold robe and don’t think so.” But Mares eventually de-
ponent battled through a bigger upsets in recent trunks featuring the Super Neither fighter threw much cided he had to return, and
badly swollen left eye and heavyweight history when Bowl champion Los Ange- or risked much in the next he looked quite sharp early
punched more accurately he took Anthony Joshua’s les Rams’ colors and helmet four rounds, and the crowd against Flores (25-4-1) with
during long stretches of three championship belts horns, Ruiz abruptly floored that loudly backed Ruiz a series of big right hands
relative inactivity for both in 2019, only to lose them Ortiz early in the second grumbled its displeasure. that rocked his opponent.
fighters. back to his British opponent round with a short right But Ruiz connected again Mares tired in the second
“I worked so hard for this six months later. Ruiz had hand. Ortiz wobbled to his late in the seventh, stag- half, but won 96-94 on one
fight, because I knew he’s fought just once since, but feet and soon slipped back gering Ortiz before sending judge’s card. The other two
a warrior and he hits hard,” he rededicated himself to down while trying to clinch him to the canvas with a scored it 95-95.q

Harbaugh hopes players get a revenue

share from 12-team CFP

By LARRY LAGE new-look tournament will would get the first bid on
AP Sports Writer begin as soon as 2024 and any new playoff inventory
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — as late as 2026. added in 2024 and 2025. Af-
Michigan coach Jim Har- An 11-game championship ter 2025, there is no TV con-
baugh hopes players get bracket could be worth as tract for a playoff. The plan
a cut of the money gener- much as $2 billion in media is to take the new format to
ated by an expanded Col- rights to the conferences the open market and possi-
lege Football Playoff. that play major college bly involve multiple TV part-
“I do believe the players football, starting in 2026. ners instead of just ESPN. In Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh congratulates his players
should receive a revenue If the new format begins the new playoff format, six after a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college
share from the massive before the current 12-year of the highest-ranked con- football game against Colorado State, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in
TV deals that have been contract with ESPN expires, ference champions and Ann Arbor, Mich.
worked out,” Harbaugh the conferences could six at-large, selection-com- Associated Press
said Monday at his weekly make an additional $450 mittee selections will earn the rest at bowl sites. Thursday in Dallas. Dates of
news conference before million over the final two a spot. The top four seeds The CFP management games, host sites, available
the eighth-ranked Wolver- years. The current deal that would be conference committee, which includes television windows and the
ines host Hawaii. ends after the 2025 season champions, receiving byes conference commissioners impact on the regular-sea-
The plan to expand the pays about $470 million per into the second round. First- and Notre Dame athletic son schedule are among
CFP from four teams was year. CFP Executive Direc- round games would be director Jack Swarbrick, the topics they are expect-
approved Friday, and the tor Bill Hancock said ESPN played on campuses and are scheduled to meet ed to discuss.q