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SPORTS Monday 13 May 2019
Williams takes Hurd’s 154-pound belts by unanimous decision

By IAN QUILLEN team’s logo on his robe. He
Associated Press hoped a win here would
FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — Jarrett propel his quest to unify
Hurd was welcomed into the remaining 154-pound
the ring by the Washington belts. But he failed to seize
Redskins marching band. momentum in front of his
He left in a manner familiar fans, who tried to edge
to his favorite football team him on by chanting “Swift!
recently, losing to an oppo- Swift! Swift!” According to
nent from Philadelphia. the scorecards, Williams
Challenger Julian Williams would’ve won even with-
unanimously outpointed out his knockdown.
Hurd on Saturday night at “I just feel like J-Rock truly
EagleBank Arena in front was the better man to-
of the defending champ’s night,” Hurd said. “I kind
home fans to take the IBF, of think hearing my home-
WBA and IBO super welter- town with my name being
weight titles. chanted, it caused me to
“This is a dream come try a little harder instead
true,” said the Philadelphia- of just staying relaxed and
based Williams, who lost his take my time. That could
one previous shot at the have played a part, but no
IBF title to Jermall Charlo in excuses.”
December of 2016. “I have After a quiet first round,
been waiting for this for Williams appeared to hurt
years. I never ditched the Julian Williams celebrates after winning the boxing match against Jarrett Hurd for the IBF, WBA Hurd midway through the
gym. I never got into girls or and IBO world super welterweight titles at EagleBankArena in Fairfax, Va., Saturday, May 11, 2019. second with a pair of com-
left the gym. I am from the Williams won by unanimous decision. binations, then floored him
streets, but I was never in Associated Press with about 30 seconds left
the streets. I was in the gym 112, as did Hurd’s corner. after Hurd connected with fighter aloft. with a left hook. Hurd rose
practicing my craft.” “It wasn’t the pressure of a jab. Williams was flexing “I am not shocked. I am just quickly, but Williams closed
Williams (27-1-1) knocked being home for Jarrett. J- to his corner after the 11th, happy,” Edwards said. “We on him again as the bell
down Hurd (23-1) in the sec- Rock was the better fighter and was the more active just knew that we were go- sounded.
ond round and stayed on tonight,” insisted Hurd train- fighter in the 12th, landing ing to win. There are certain Hurd then opened the sixth
his feet throughout. While er Ernesto Rodriguez. one final promising combi- things that you just know. as if he believed Williams
both fighters appeared in “We want the rematch. Our nation 45 seconds before He trained so hard and he had been hurt, connecting
danger at times, Williams preparation will be better.” the bell. was so ready, I just knew. with a very early right hook
clearly believed he won in During the middle of the When the final bell sound- Hurd, from Accokeek, that set off a ferocious
the later rounds. sixth round, arguably ed, trainer Stephen Ed- Maryland, Hurd entered to round from both fighters
The judges agreed, scoring Hurd’s best, Williams made wards rushed out of Wil- a live rendition of “Hail to and brought chants from
it 116-111, 115-112 and 115- a “come at me” expression liams’ corner to hoist his the Redskins” and wore the the crowd.q

Mewis

Continued from Page 18 crossbar. But Mewis made a friendly against South Ko-
the most of her next op- rea in 2017.
That moved Lloyd into portunity in the 37th minute “More than likely, we’ll
fourth place in career goals when she took a pass from face a team like this in the
for the U.S., breaking a tie Rose Lavelle near the top World Cup,” defender Kelly
with Michelle Akers. of the box. Mewis faked O’Hara said. “It’s good to
“Just doing my thing,” to her left, came back to get in the practice. I think
Lloyd said. “’’Just coming the right and beat goalie we could have been a bit
on trying to make a differ- Andile Dlamini with a shot better today. But that’s
ence. Nothing has really from outside the box that why we have friendlies, to
changed from 2005 when I went just inside the post. work on things.”
first got on this team.” The Americans kept up the This match is the first of
The Americans controlled pressure in the second half three tuneups in the World
the play from the start, with and finally added a second Cup send-off series for the
the game played almost goalie after Dlamini left with Americans, followed by
entirely in South Africa’s an injury and was replaced a game Thursday against
end. But despite dominat- by Kaylin Swart. Megan New Zealand in St. Louis
ing possession, the U.S. Rapinoe started the play and May 26 against Mexi- The United States team celebrates after a goal by midfielder
Samantha Mewis (3) in the first half of an international friendly
generated few prime scor- with a quick restart after co in New Jersey. soccer match against South Africa in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday,
ing chances early because a foul and eventually sent The tournament starts May 12, 2019.
several crosses and final a cross into the box. Swart June 7, and the U.S. pays Associated Press
passes just missed their tar- deflected the pass but it its first match four days in place and started close The game against the 49th
gets inside the box. went right off Mewis and later against Thailand. The to the expected lineup in ranked South Africans, who
Mewis had one of the best into the net to make it 2-0 Americans will also play France with the excep- will make their first Women’s
chances when her head- in the 78th minute. Mewis Chile and Sweden in the tion of Lindsey Horan and World Cup appearance
er off a cross from Tobin other two-goal game for opening round. Rapinoe, who came in as next month, didn’t provide
Heath sailed just over the the national team came in The U.S. had its full roster a second-half substitute. the stiffest test.q