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A22 SPORTS
Tuesday 13 december 2016
Heavyweight champ Joshua back at Wembley for defining fight

STEVE DOUGLAS of Sunday morning local
AP Sports Writer time — and has won all of
MANCHESTER, England (AP) his 18 professional fights by
— Anthony Joshua was knockout, without being
making his way through the extended beyond seven
heavyweight ranks, estab- rounds.
lishing a reputation as a po- The fight against Klitsch-
tential world champion of ko will be a defining one,
the future, when he fought though. Either confirmation
unheralded Matt Legg at of a changing of the guard
Wembley Stadium in the in the heavyweight divi-
summer of 2014. sion, or a reminder by the
It was the first fight on the 40-year-old Klitschko that
undercard of Carl Froch- the old champ is still alive
George Groves II. Shortly and well.
after 5.30 p.m. local time, “I don’t think he needs the
in broad daylight and with dough, but there’s no cap
fans drifting into a mostly on what you can make,”
empty stadium, Joshua Joshua said in the bowels
won in 83 seconds for his of Manchester Arena, two
sixth straight win since turn- hours after dismantling Mo-
ing pro. lina with the minimum of
There were much bigger fuss. “But to own the divi-
fights to come that night Britain’s IBF Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, left, and Wladimir Klitschko stand on the ring sion again? How long is he
but it didn’t stop Joshua’s after it was announced the two men will fight one another in 2017, following Joshua’s win against going to be around for?
promoter, Eddie Hearn, American Eric Molina in Manchester, England, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. Maybe this is to stamp his
sending a reminder to the Associated Press mark, his last hurrah.”
sparse Wembley crowd: “In world titles in front of an was the first time I could sit attitude to win.” The WBA had already sanc-
two or three years’ time, anticipated 90,000 specta- back and watch a fight, It’s that attitude that’s tioned a “super” fight be-
Anthony could be headlin- tors. because nowadays I’m on turned Joshua from an tween Joshua and Klitsch-
ing here himself.” “I was a bit raw then,” last. Olympic champion in ko for the spring of 2017 but
Turns out Hearn was spot Joshua says, looking back “Fighting in front of about 2012 to possibly the most the date and location was
on. at the Legg fight with a 3,000 at about 5.30 p.m. It feared heavyweight boxer confirmed minutes after
On April 29 next year, smile. “I took a few, cov- doesn’t matter. It’s a fight, around. He’s the IBF cham- Joshua’s win over Molina.
Joshua will be at the other ered up a few. The reason we’ll come together, and pion — a belt he retained Hearn entered the ring, to
end of a card at England’s I was happy to be out first boom. 90,000 or nine peo- by stopping Eric Molina in- be followed soon enough
national stadium, fighting was that I wanted to watch ple. It’s the same rules and side three rounds in Man- by Klitschko, and the April
Wladimir Klitschko for three Froch and Groves. That regulations, and the same chester in the early hours 29 fight was announced.q
Ethiopian Deba named rightful winner of 2014 Boston Marathon

WILLIAM J. KOLE stakeholders to work on a gal options and will take
Associated Press clean sport,” Deba, who whatever steps are reason-
BOSTON (AP) — Blood, lives in New York City with able and necessary,” BAA
sweat and tears stained her husband and coach, spokesman T.K. Skenderian
the deadly 2013 Boston Worku Beyi, said in a state- said.
Marathon, so the next ment. In October, the Court of
year’s running of America’s It was a long road to victory Arbitration for Sport dou-
most famous footrace was for Deba. bled Jeptoo’s initial ban to
understandably all about Her 2014 clocking in Boston four years. The 35-year-old
redemption. was her fastest ever over tested positive for EPO in
Now the rightful winner of the 26.2-mile span, and it a September 2014 sample
the 2014 women’s race — catapulted her to the top given during training for the
Buzunesh Deba — is finally of the sport. Chicago Marathon. She’s
getting her due. But at the time, all the adu- since been stripped of the
Race organizers formally lation — to say nothing of 2014 Chicago title as well.
declared the 29-year-old the first-prize winnings — “Buzunesh Deba’s sub-2:20
Ethiopian the 2014 champi- went to Jeptoo, who was performance in 2014 was
on on Monday, two months credited with the win in the a magnificent achieve-
after Kenyan rival Rita Jep- first edition of the Boston ment,” BAA chief execu-
too was stripped of the title Marathon since two bombs tive Tom Grilk said Monday.
and banned from interna- planted at the finish line
tional competition for four In this Monday, April 21, 2014, file photo Buzunesh Deba, left, killed three spectators and “To emerge victorious in
years for doping. of Ethiopia, runs in a group of elite female participants past wounded more than 260 the fastest women’s race
Sweetening the bitterness Wellesley College during the 118th Boston Marathon in Welles- others. ever run in Boston was re-
ley, Mass.
of her ordeal, Deba also Associated Press The Boston Athletic Associ- markable. We look forward
was recognized as the cur- 121-year-old history, best- py being named the 2014 ation, which organizes the to awarding her the praise
rent course record-holder. marathon, says it’s still work- she rightfully deserves in
Her blistering finish of 2 ing the previous mark of Boston Marathon cham- ing to recover the $150,000 2017.”
2:20:43 set in 2002 by Mar-
pion, the most prestigious
hours, 19 minutes, 59 sec- prize and $25,000 course Deba hasn’t yet said
onds made it the fastest garet Okayo of Kenya. marathon in the world, and record bonus. whether she’ll race Boston
“I feel great and really hap-
I encourage all concerned
women’s race in Boston’s “We’re exploring our le- next year.q