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A22 sports
Thursday 13 sepTember 2018

Column: Triple G-Canelo rematch should be must-see TV

By TIM DAHLBERG his native Mexico led to the
AP Sports Columnist positive test for clenbuterol.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — For a “It’s very strange because
sport often given up for we know what happened.
dead, boxing is suddenly He was caught for doing il-
very much alive. legal substances,” Golovkin
Turn on the TV and there’s said through an interpreter.
probably a fight on from “As far as his stories about
somewhere. Tune in, and the meat, you have to be
there’s a good chance really stupid to believe
even the most casual box- these kind of stories after
ing fan will find something being caught doping.”
to like. Golovkin’s other complaint
The heavyweight division is centered on the purse split
coming back, and there’s for the fight. Alvarez, who
a group of welterweights was a proven pay-per-
so talented they are bring- view draw, got 70 percent
ing back memories of the of the take in the first fight,
1980s, when fighters like and was supposed to get
Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy 65 percent in the second,
Hearns and Marvelous Mar- had it happened in May as
vin Hagler ruled the ring planned. But Triple G stood
and the biggest fights were his ground, finally getting
magical affairs staged out- In this Sept. 15, 2017, file photo, Canelo Alvarez, left, and Gennady Golovkin pose during a weigh- a 45 percent share after
doors on the Las Vegas in in Las Vegas. already booking another
Strip. Associated Press fight elsewhere that would
Networks are getting into with the middleweight title watch at home, this fight back in the day. have paid him only a frac-
bidding wars for fights, and at stake. The fight is a re- needs to deliver in a big “I believe it will be a big tion of the millions both he
a string of new deals means match of their draw last way to justify the cost. drama show,” Golovkin and Alvarez will make for
there’s more boxing on free September, and this time Whether it does won’t be said. “I wanted the first fight their showdown.
television than ever before. both fighters have made known until the two actual- to be a big drama show, All of which, of course, has
And, of course, there’s Sat- it clear they just don’t like ly get into the ring together but he wouldn’t fight me.” raised some bitter feelings
urday night. each other. in a fight delayed from May Golovkin’s complaint in the Alvarez camp.
That’s when Gennady Go- It’s a combination that after Alvarez tested posi- about Alvarez not standing “It’s definitely more per-
lovkin and Canelo Alvarez should make this a pay- tive for a performance-en- toe-to-toe with him in the sonal now. I really don’t
step into the ring at the T- per-view worth reaching hancing drug. But there’s first fight isn’t his only issue like him,” Alvarez said. “It’s
Mobile Arena to try to set- into the wallet for, though a lot to like about two big with the rematch. He also personal, and I take it that
tle what they couldn’t the it’s not cheap. Boxing still punchers meeting to settle believes Alvarez is a cheat- way. It will make me train
first time around in a hotly insists on a buy-in for its big- things at 160 pounds the er, and dismisses his claim harder and give it the extra
anticipated showdown gest fights, and at $84.95 to way fighters used to do it that eating tainted meat in push to knock him out.”q

Bettman tells AP: NHL in mediation on concussion lawsuit

go into mediation and so sota. “While we obviously and one group of all retired
we’re complying with the disagree with the Commis- players diagnosed with a
judge’s request,” Bettman sioner’s views on the merits neurological disease, disor-
told The Associated Press. of these important cases, der or condition. Had they
He said he had nothing to and continue to work very succeeded, more than
add when asked if there hard to obtain justice for 5,000 former players would
has been progress, and our clients, the commis- have been allowed to join
Bettman reiterated the sioner is correct that Judge the case.
NHL’s position on the lawsuit Nelson requested that the On another matter, Bet-
hasn’t changed, by saying: parties try to work out their tman said the league’s
“We also think the lawsuit differences with a media- board of governors meet-
doesn’t have merit.” tor, if they are able,” David- ing in December is the ear-
Bettman spoke to the AP son wrote in an email. liest the NHL will have an
while attending the NHL of- More than 100 former play- opportunity to approve a
ficials training camp in Buf- ers are part of the lawsuit bid to expand into Seattle.
In this May 28, 2018 file photo NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman
speaks during a news conference prior to Game 1 of the NHL falo, New York. in accusing the NHL of fail- The vote will take place
Stanley Cup Final hockey game between the Vegas Golden Stuart Davidson, one of ing to better prevent head after the expansion group
Knights and the Washington Capitals in Las Vegas. the attorneys representing trauma or warn players of meets with the league’s ex-
Associated Press the players, disputed Bett- such risks while promoting ecutive committee on Oct.
By JOHN WAWROW ation with former players in man’s assertion on the mer- violent play that led to their 2. Bettman would only say
AP Hockey Writer a bid to settle a concussion its of the lawsuit, while con- injuries. In July, Nelson de- “to be determined” when
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — NHL lawsuit, saying Tuesday the firming the two sides were nied a bid for class-action asked if the Seattle bid,
Commissioner Gary Bett- league is simply following a asked to enter mediation status, which would have which would expand the
man downplayed the sig- judge’s order. by U.S. District Judge Susan created one group of all NHL to 32 teams, is on track
nificance of entering medi- “The judge asked us to Richard Nelson in Minne- living former NHL players for the 2020-21 season.q