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SPORTS Saturday 10 November 2018
Mayweather takes a hit for The Money Team

By TIM DAHLBERG bout would be an epic
AP Sports Columnist event.
It looked like easy money, So he had to backpedal.
and there's no one more And fast.
qualified to judge that then Mayweather said he was
the founder and titular blindsided by promoters at
head of The Money Team. the press conference and
But sometimes chasing a went along when they said
pile of cash is more difficult the fight was scheduled,
than it seems. with the rules to be figured
Floyd Mayweather Jr. out later. He said he didn't
found that out when he even know who Nasukawa
went looking for money in was.
Japan. The deal, or so he Fair enough. But Google
thought, was to perform is available in Japan, and
a three-round exhibition it didn't take Mayweather
before what he said was long to find out a few things
a small group of wealthy about his opponent.
spectators for "a very large Or maybe he just read an
fee." Instagram post from Joe
Turns out Mayweather got Rogan, the UFC fight an-
hoodwinked. And then he nouncer who knew a little
quickly got out of town. more about Nasukawa.
He wanted no part of a ris- "He's a true striking genius," Floyd Mayweather, right, of the U.S. claps as Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa strikes a
ing young Japanese kick- Rogan said of the 20-year- pose during a press conference in Tokyo, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018.
boxing star, even though old. "I doubt Floyd is going Associated Press
he outweighed Tenshin to agree to any rules that
Nasukawa by 30 pounds. A allow Tenshin to kick, but if ing just the right opponent "I am a retired boxer that with plans to fight Adrien
guy could get hurt in a real he does, it could be a ter- at the right time and this earns an unprecedented Broner in January.
fight, especially if the rules rible night for him. This kid is wasn't the opponent or the amount of money, global- Still there's a good chance
weren't all in his favor. the truth." time to get back in the ring. ly, for appearances, speak- the two could meet in May
The problem was, May- Whatever it was, May- But in doing so he may ing engagements and oc- in Las Vegas in a rematch
weather had appeared at weather left Japan as fast have damaged his brand, casional small exhibitions," of their first fight. By then
a press conference Mon- as he could. if just a bit. Mayweather Mayweather wrote. they might have made
day in Tokyo in which the And, really, who could doesn't do contrition well, If that's so, then perhaps enough boxing fans for-
fight was announced. He blame Mayweather. He's but contrite he was in a Manny Pacquiao better go get what a snoozer the first
posed for pictures with Na- made a career — and lengthy post that didn't ex- looking for another oppo- fight was to pay big mon-
sukawa, and talked about made himself immensely actly cast him in a favor- nent for his next fight. Actu- ey for a rematch between
how their New Year's Eve wealthy — out of pick- able light. ally, Pacquiao already has, two 40-something boxers.q

Kenin to open Fed Cup final for U.S. against Strycova

By KAREL JANICEK still might recover in time to Sofia Kenin is scheduled to
Associated Press play the reverse singles on play Barbora Strycova in
PRAGUE (AP) — America's Sunday. the opening singles on Sat-
chances of retaining the "Chances are still there urday on an indoor hard-
Fed Cup this weekend im- (for me to play)," Kvitova court at the O2 Arena.
proved on Friday when two- said after the draw on Fri- "I'm really looking forward
time Wimbledon champion day. "I'm feeling a bit bet- to the experience," the
Petra Kvitova was ruled out ter. We're going to decide 19-year-old Kenin said. "It's
of the opening singles for (that) tomorrow." a once-in-a-lifetime oppor-
the Czech Republic due to Kvitova returned to the tunity."
illness. team this year after recov- Riske was drawn to play
Kvitovsa was the second ering from injuries she suf- Katerina Siniakova in the
top-10 player lost to the fered during a knife attack second singles. The two
Czechs, after Karolina Plis- at her home in December met three times before at
kova was ruled out last 2016. She won all four of her WTA tournaments, with Sin-
Saturday by calf and wrist singles in the Fed Cup. iakova leading 2-1.
injuries. "It's unusual, that never The team of the United States, left to right, Alison Riske, Danielle "I'm really looking forward
The Czechs won the Fed happened before," cap- Rose Collins, captain Kathy Rinaldi, Sofia Kenin and Nicole Meli- to it," Riske said. "We've
char pose for a photo in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Nov.
Cup in five of the previous tain Petr Pala said about 9, 2018 after a draw for the tennis Fed Cup Final between Czech had a great week of prac-
seven years, and Kvitova losing his best two players. Republic and the United States. tice, and the pressure is on
contributed to each one "But still I think we're the fa- Associated Press them. It will be a fun day."
to sit fourth among women vorites. I'm still very confi- Siniakova said: "I'm expect-
with the most Fed Cup tro- dent about my team." Czech Republic has a but first since 2000. ing a tough match. Every
phies. United States captain long list of great players to For this final, three U.S. play- match was tough with her."
But she fell ill after the WTA Kathy Rinaldi said she also choose from. We're ready ers will make their Fed Cup In Sunday's reverse singles,
Finals in Singapore and believed in her players. to compete." debuts. Only Alison Riske Kenin will go against Sinia-
didn't train this week due "We were preparing for Rinaldi helped the U.S. last has participated before, in kova, and Riske will meet
to a high temperature. She everyone," she said. "The year win an 18th Fed Cup, three ties. Strycova.q