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SPORTS Friday 15 March 2019
Garcia double-step to face Spence in undefeated title match

By STEPHEN HAWKINS I'm more dominant than
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — him in everything, in every
Errol Spence Jr. didn't like aspect," Spence said. "The
four-division champion size won't matter. I'll beat
Mikey Garcia describing him in anything he wants
him as just another oppo- to do. If he wants to box, I'll
nent. beat him in that. If he wants
"Stop talking about your to fight, I'll beat him in that
other opponents like I'm too. Whatever gameplan
one of them," shot back they've got going, it won't
Spence, the IBF welter- work."
weight champion. Of course, Garcia feels
When Spence and Garcia the same way going into
step into the ring Saturday the bout when he has a
night — at midfield in the chance for a major title in
massive billion-dollar home a fifth division. That would
stadium of the favorite NFL put him in a select group
team for both fighters — it with Thomas Hearns, Sugar
will be a matchup of un- Ray Leonard, Oscar De La
defeated champions, and Hoya, Manny Pacquiao
two of the best pound-for- and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
pound boxers. "This fight, getting the vic-
Garcia, the reigning WBC tory, will forever leave my
lightweight champion who Boxers Errol Spence Jr., left, and Mikey Garcia, right, adorn Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones name in the history books
is 39-0 with 30 knockouts, with their championship belts during a press conference Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. of boxing. I'm here to cre-
is moving up two weight Associated Press ate a legacy, I'm here to
classes to take on Spence, make history and this fight
at 24-0 with 21 knockouts way." the Cowboys play their Garcia grew up around Ox- does that," Garcia said. "No
and fighting at home in Spence is defending his home games and where nard, California, where the other fighter's doing what
North Texas for the second title in the 147-pound divi- the ring will be centered un- Cowboys hold part of their I'm doing, no other fighter
time in nine months. sion for the third time. He der the looming 72-foot tall preseason training camp is daring to do what I'm do-
"He's going to find out why I stopped previously unde- video boards that stretch each year. ing. ... I'm about big chal-
chose to fight him and why feated challenger Carlos between the 20-yard lines. Not only is Spence used lenges, big obstacles, and
I picked this fight," Garcia Ocampo with a first-round "This is a dream come true to the heavier division, the just to show everybody that
said. "Like all of my other knockout at the Dallas fighting in my hometown," 29-year-old southpaw is I'm the best."
opponents, they don't see Cowboys' practice facility Spence said. "Seeing Mikey about three inches taller While acknowledging
anything flashy, they don't in Frisco last June, not far Garcia's face through this and has a longer reach. that "on paper" Garcia is
see anything special, but from his home in Desoto. whole training camp just But he doesn't think the size his toughest opponent to
when they get inside the This title defense is a pay- made me more focused difference is what gives him date, Spence said he won't
ring, then they realize that per-view match from and more hungry to put on the advantage. know for sure until they get
I am special in a different AT&T Stadium, where a great performance." "Skill for skill, talent for talent, into the ring. q

Court upholds $1.5M award to analyst in MLB Network firing

By DAVID PORTER ior at a May 2014 tourna- from attending or coach-
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A ment in Maryland involving ing youth games and not
New Jersey appeals court a team of 10-year-olds that post on social media with-
on Thursday upheld a $1.5 included Williams' son. out the network's approval.
million jury award to former Williams swore at umpires Williams declined, and he
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher and ordered one of his was terminated in June
Mitch Williams stemming pitchers to throw at an op- 2014.
from his firing by the MLB posing batter, the articles After a jury in Camden
Network in 2014 over his al- claimed. Williams denied County decided in his fa-
leged conduct at a youth the allegations. vor in 2017, the network
baseball tournament.The Two umpires' accounts lat- appealed, arguing the
former closer, nicknamed er differed on whether Wil- trial judge made unfair evi-
"Wild Thing" for his on-field liams used profanity, and dence rulings and erred by
antics with the Phillies and none could be heard on not dismissing the case be-
five other major league audio and video recorded fore it went to trial.
teams, sued after the net- at the game, according The appeals court dis-
work cited a morals clause to Thursday's ruling. Some agreed, writing Thursday
in his contract to terminate witnesses who were at the that "the trial court fairly
him. game testified they didn't dealt with the abundant In this Oct. 1, 2008, file photo, former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher
Mitch Williams throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the
Williams, who pitched for hear Williams tell his pitcher legal and evidentiary issues start of Game 1 of the National League division baseball series
the Phillies in the 1993 World to throw at the opposing presented by both sides — between the Phillies and the Milwaukee Brewers in Philadelphia.
Series, was hired as an ana- player. before, during, and after Associated Press
lyst to a five-year contract After the articles were pub- the trial.
with MLB Network in 2011. lished, the network put Wil- "We are satisfied the trial and did so based on am- An MLB Network spokes-
Two articles on the sports liams on leave and asked judge and the jury resolved ple relevant evidence and man said Thursday the net-
website Deadspin de- him to sign an agreement the parties' disputes in this general legal principles," work is reviewing the ruling
scribed his alleged behav- saying he would refrain case fairly and soundly, the panel added. and assessing its options.q