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SPORTS Thursday 16 May 2019
Heavyweights step up, just not against each other

By TIM DAHLBERG rematch with Wilder while
AP Sports Columnist Joshua is defending his ti-
Tyson Fury, the big British tles against a late substitute
heavyweight who breaks in Andy Ruiz Jr. Wilder might
into song at the most un- be taking the biggest risk
expected moments and in his title defense against
would be fun to meet for Dominic Braezeale, whose
a beer, will be fighting next loss to Joshua is the only
month. So will his country- blemish on his pro record.
man, Anthony Joshua, who Just how long the fire is ex-
will venture across the pond pected to smolder, though,
to make his Garden debut. may be of most concern to
And then there’s Deontay boxing fans.
Wilder, who kicks things off Joshua and Wilder should
Saturday night with anoth- have been made by now,
er chance to press his case even if it might be even
that he is, like Mike Tyson bigger next year because
liked to say, the baddest of the wait. Wilder and
man on the planet. Fury should be fighting a
No, they’re not fighting rematch this summer, but
each other, for reasons money and boxing politics
both as old as boxing itself put a quick end to those
and as new as the DAZN plans. Wilder says Joshua is
streaming service. Still, the ducking him and that Fury
three top heavyweights in wants no part of a rematch Britain’s Tyson Fury shows off his shirt which has drawings of former world heavyweight champions
the world — all of whom after almost being knocked on it during the press conference at the BT Sport Studio, London, Monday May 13, 2019.
can legitimately claim the silly only to get back up in Associated Press
title of champ — will be in the final round of their fight “I’ve done a good job a big performance while In a perfect world, Josh-
action in New York and Las in December that ended in maintaining my place and venturing outside his na- ua, Wilder and Fury would
Vegas within a four-week a draw. he is the guy I want. He has tive Britain for the first time. be fighting each other, of
stretch. Fury and Joshua say that’s a lot to live up to. I’ve got Joshua drew 90,000 for his course. Any thoughts of a
And should things go as nonsense and that Wilder confidence flowing now.” fight last year with Wladimir quick rematch after the
planned, that’s just enough shouldn’t talk so much. That confidence could Klitschko at Wembley Stadi- draw between Wilder and
time to bring some clarity “I am ready for Wilder, I’ve get another boost against um and is wildly popular at Fury went out the window
to a heavyweight division been ready for Wilder,” Ruiz, a roly-poly fighter home, but largely unknown when Fury signed with Top
that is suddenly must-see Joshua said last week after out of Southern California in the U.S. and is looking to Rank, which has a deal for
TV once again. arriving in New York and in- who doesn’t look like a make a dramatic debut. fights with ESPN.
“The excitement is back in specting Madison Square world beater but has lost “I know the history that has Wilder, meanwhile, is stick-
the heavyweight division,” Garden for his American only once in 33 fights. Ruiz been here and the sports ing for now with Showtime
Wilder said. “The fire is lit.” debut June 1 against Ruiz, fought just last month, and that have been here,” he for his fight Saturday night.
That’s somewhat true, even who got his shot at Josh- was eager to get the call to said at his Garden visit. And Joshua has a contract
if Fury is fighting a relatively ua’s titles after Jarrell Miller replace Miller. “When I come in here to with DAZN, a streaming ser-
unknown German named tested positive for perfor- Perhaps just as important fight June 1, it will be very vice that touts access to
Tom Schwarz instead of a mance-enhancing drugs. for Joshua’s confidence is special.” big fights for $100 a year.q

Ackermann wins rainy Giro

stage 5, Roglic stays in lead

TERRACINA, Italy (AP) — day. I had to brake at 250 the final six kilometers and
Pascal Ackermann of Ger- meters to go but luckily Ga- allowed Roglic to gain pre-
many sprinted to victory at viria became the perfect cious seconds over his rival.
the end of the rain-affect- lead-out man for me,” Ack- It also led to 2017 cham-
ed fifth stage of the Giro ermann said. “It was scary pion Tom Dumoulin aban-
d’Italia on Wednesday, all day under the rain. All doning the race a kilome-
while Slovenian cyclist Pri- the stage was scary and ter into Wednesday’s stage
moz Roglic kept the overall sprint was scary because as he was in too much pain
lead. It was Ackermann’s you can’t see much. It was after injuring his left leg in
second stage win in his cold all day.” the crash. Germany’s Pascal Ackermann celebrates as he sprints ahead
first Grand Tour after the The rain was so relentless “I came here for a three- of Colombia’s Fernando Gaviria, left, to win the fifth stage of the
25-year-old Bora-Hansgro- that race organizers de- week adventure and I Giro D’Italia, tour of Italy cycling race, from Frascati to Terracina,
he rider also took home cided that times would be wanted to finish it and I’m Wednesday, May 15, 2019.
Sunday’s second leg. taken on the first passage not ready to go home yet,” Associated Press
Ackermann edged out Fer- of the finish line in Terraci- Dumoulin said. “I didn’t some painkillers today and leader’s pink jersey since
nando Gaviria and Arnaud na before the final nine- want to be home and in it might’ve been possible. winning the opening time
Demare in a bunch sprint kilometer loop in order to two days time, be able to “I would’ve always asked trial on Saturday, remained
at the end of the mainly flat avoid another crash like the ride when the swelling goes myself that question and 35 seconds ahead of Brit-
but wet 140-kilometer route one that marred Tuesday’s down and be sad that I now I can ask myself and I ish cyclist Simon Yates and
from Frascati to Terracina. fourth stage. That crash split abandoned so I needed to know the answer.” 39 ahead of home favorite
“It was a two-time sprint to- the peloton in half inside try and push through with Roglic, who has worn the Vincenzo Nibali.q