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sports Saturday 25 November 2017
Kovalev looks to

re-establish himself

as light heavyweight

By BARRY WILNER world champion and col-
AP Sports Writer lect my belts, if somebody
NEW YORK (AP) — They call will be ready to unify the
Sergey Kovalev “Krusher.” title.”
His opponent Saturday One step at a time, which
night, Vyacheslav Shab- means handling Ukraine’s
ranskyy, also is a big-time Shabranskyy (19-1) whose
puncher. resume doesn’t approach
So not many people ex- Kovalev’s. Had Ward not
pect the 12-round WBO stepped away, this HBO
light heavyweight title fight bout wouldn’t have been
to go the distance at Madi- for any world belts.
son Square Garden. Kovalev calls Ward’s de-
Those observers can’t be parture “extra motivation”
sure, though, what they will for Saturday night.
get from Kovalev. He lost his “My next fight without the Vyacheslav Shabranskyy, right, listens as Sergey Kovalev speaks during a boxing press confer-
last two fights to the now- belt was going to be dis- ence Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017, in New York.
retired Andre Ward, one couraging, because I must Associated Press
by unanimous decision, the come back,” Kovalev said. last two outings after his losing to Ward. He also has time here in America till I
other being stopped in the “I’m really excited and lone defeat, to Sullivan Bar- owned the WBA and IBF finish my boxing career,”
eighth round. They were the ready to get my belts back. rera in December. Barrera crowns. But those defeats he said, “is when I’m doing
first defeats of the 34-year- It would be really interest- is on the undercard against to Ward have created boxing, I should do boxing.
old Russian’s career. Ward ing and really exciting, and Felix Valera. an aura of weakness that Not another business or a
was the “krusher” then. I would fight anybody. I’m “Everything will be in the Kovalev must erase. Plus, if lot of flights to come back
“All life is like a lesson for really happy that this fight ring, so we will see our situ- he is to have any opportu- and forth to Russia to spend
me,” Kovalev said. “After will be for the title and for ation in the ring,” Shabran- nity to unite the champion- free time. Because when
my last three fights, some the WBO, because this was skyy said of facing Kovalev. ships, he needs to earn one I’m in Russia, I don’t have
felt that I should get more the first title that I had al- “Both guys are coming into of them first. the time like for ... doing the
physically into my work life ready. this ring bringing everything He believes training in the boxing. Just a lot of meet-
with my boxing again. But “But now this is like a new that they have on the line United States and ignor- ings, a lot of businesses, a
right now, I feel all bad chapter in my boxing ca- and, just because I have ing “stuff” outside of the lot of wrong things. I mean,
things are gone from my reer. I am recharged. I am two consecutive wins after ring will serve him well in his not sport at all.
mind. Right now I concen- much stronger than last an unfortunate loss doesn’t quests. “But right now, I’m here in
trate, and I focus for the three fights and you will see mean anything.” “The most important thing America, and started a
future of my boxing career. (that).” Kovalev held the WBO belt in my boxing career that new chapter in my boxing
I’m ready to be again a Shabranskyy, 30, won his for eight defenses before I should do during all my career.”q

Pitt beats No. 2 Miami 24-14,

ending 15-game win streak

By The Associated Press would need with a 22-yard Saturday.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Miami’s fourth-down sprint to the NO. 10 TCU 45, BAYLOR 22
perfect season is over. The end zone with 2:54 remain- FORT WORTH, Texas (AP)
Hurricanes can only hope ing. — Kenny Hill threw touch-
their shot at a spot in the Pickett completed 18 of 29 down passes to three re-
College Football Playoff passes for 193 yards and ceivers and ran 3 yards for
isn’t gone, too. the one score while adding another score to help TCU
Freshman Kenny Pickett 60 yards rushing in his first wrap up a spot in the Big 12
ran for two touchdowns career start as Pitt finished championship game.
and threw for another and a disappointing season. Baylor (1-11, 1-8) jumped
Pittsburgh stunned No. 2 Malik Rosier completed 15 out to a 9-0 lead in the first
Miami 24-14 on Friday, end- of 34 for 187 yards and two 2 minutes, including a safe-
ing the Hurricanes’ nation- scores but was ineffective ty when Hill was sacked
best winning streak at 15 for most of the day, even and fumbled in the end
games. briefly getting replaced zone. But TCU was ahead
Pickett bulled over from 6 by backup Evan Schirreffs for good after Hill’s 7-yard
yards in the first half, flipped in the fourth quarter. The TD pass to Jarrison Stewart
a 5-yard shovel pass to Hurricanes (10-1, 7-1) were made it 14-9 with 26 sec-
Qadree Ollison in the third held to a season-low 229 onds left in the first quarter.
Miami defensive back Dee Delaney (3), right, and defensive quarter to put the Panthers yards. The Coastal Division Defensive end Mat Boesen
back Malek Young (12), center, sit on the benach as they up 10 and gave Pitt (5-7, champion will face No. 4 set a TCU record with 5 1/2
are losing to Pittsburgh in the second half of an NCAA college 3-5 Atlantic Coast Con- Clemson in the conference of the Horned Frogs’ eight
football game, Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, in Pittsburgh. ference) all the cushion it championship game next sacks. q
Associated Press