uaia Matagi 11 Isaah Yeo 12 James Fisher-Harris 13 Trent Merrin. Interchan

LAS VEGAS -- Sergey Kovalev was knocking out everyone put in front of him when his handlers went to HBO a few years back asking for a coveted spot on one of the networks boxing shows.Not so fast, the network said.You got two problems with this guy, promoter Kathy Duva remembers an HBO executive saying. One, hes a light heavyweight. Two, hes a Russian.Two problems, indeed. The combination isnt particularly attractive to boxing fans, or the network that buys many of the biggest fights.But on Saturday, it doesnt matter that Kovalev is a champion at light heavyweight, a division that historically has gotten little respect. Not when hes got unbeaten Andre Ward in front of him in a classic slugger vs. boxer matchup that is perhaps the most anticipated fight of the year.And the Russian part? Well, it helps that Kovalev now lives most of the year in Los Angeles and has quickly picked up the English language.I learned English only with reporters, he said this week, displaying a gift for gab in his new language with a small group of boxing scribes.Seven years after coming to the United States to seek fame and fortune, Kovalev is on the brink of both. A devastating puncher who has not lost in 31 fights, he will try to do what no one has done in 20 years -- win a fight against Ward, the last American man to win boxing gold in the Olympics.If the fight isnt compelling enough, Kovalevs story should be enough for some to pony up the $64.95 to watch it at home. His Russian fans will get the fight free, with the nations Channel 1 lined up to broadcast the bout live in his home country.America gave me opportunity. Its two great countries for me, Kovalev said. I love both countries, which is why I have two houses, in Russia and America.Kovalev comes from a fighting family, though he is the only one to actually put on gloves and do it in the ring. His mother, he says, used to beat up people as a child in Chelyabinsk, a factory town, where she works in a liquid metals plant.My mother fought a lot of times on the street growing up, even with boys, he said. She grew up in poor area.Kovalev grew up poor, too, with the family of five living in two rooms of a three-room apartment they shared with an unrelated elderly woman. He fought in the amateurs, though he never got a shot at making the Russian Olympic boxing team, before deciding to come to the U.S. and turn pro.Hooking up with Egis Klimas, a Lithuanian immigrant who now manages a number of Russian and Eastern European fighters, he fought for a few dollars here and there in tiny places he describes as garages.Kovalev was undefeated in 17 fights but still a relative unknown when he returned home to face Roman Simakov in a fight that turned tragic. Kovalev stopped Simakov in the seventh round of the December 2011 fight, and Simakov fell into a coma and later died.The death devastated Kovalev, and it might have unraveled his career like it has other fighters who have killed men in the ring. He would later reach out to try to take care of Simakovs family, but the pain still lingers to a point he rarely will talk about the fateful night.Kovalevs big break came when he was signed by Duvas Main Events promotional company. Duva would get the HBO dates she sought in that first meeting, and it didnt take long for the boxer they call Krusher to become a regular on the network.He dominated the ancient but still crafty Bernard Hopkins in 2014, forcing him into retirement, at least temporarily. And two knockout wins over Canadas Jean Pascal in Montreal cemented his status as the best 175-pounder in the world.Now he takes on Ward, the former 168-pound champion who has fought only three times in the last three years. Bookies in this gambling town make Ward, a defensive specialist and extraordinary boxer, a slight favorite, but Kovalev believes he will prevail.He doesnt have a punch like Mike Tyson, but hes very smart and has good defense, Kovalev says. Its not dangerous, but hes a tough target. He does very smart things in the ring.Kovalev has been doing some smart things, too. Perhaps none smarter than taking a chance and coming to the U.S. with nothing in his pocket and only his dreams.I love this country, he said. Im very comfortable with the people and the boxing in America.---Tim Dahlberg is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at tdahlbeg(at)ap.org or http://twitter.com/timdahlbergCustom Heat T-shirts . The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for Jones (19-1). It was the champions closest call. Despite the loss, it was a remarkable show by the confident Swedish challenger, who had the best of the early rounds and then hung on in the fourth and fifth. Wholesale Custom Heat Shirts . LeBron James and Chris Bosh didnt need any more. 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Custom Heat Jersey China . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament.Thursday, August 04St George Illawarra Dragons ($4.00) v Brisbane Broncos ($1.25), Win Stadium at 7:50pmDragons:?1 Adam Quinlan 2 Kurt Mann 3 Euan Aitken 4 Taane Milne 5 Jason Nightingale 6 Gareth Widdop 7 Benji Marshall 8 Russell Packer 9 Mitch Rein 10 Mike Cooper 11 Tyson Frizell 12 Will Matthews 13 Jack de Belin. Interchange: 14 Tariq Sims 16 Jacob Host 17 Jake Marketo 19 Tyrone McCarthyBroncos:?1 Darius Boyd 2 Corey Oates 3 Tom Opacic 4 James Roberts 5 Lachlan Maranta 6 Anthony Milford 7 Ben Hunt 8 Josh McGuire 9 Andrew McCullough 10 Adam Blair 11 Sam Thaiday 12 Matt Gillett 13 Corey Parker. Interchange: 14 Jarrod Wallace 15 Tevita Pangai Jr 16 Jai Arrow 17 Alex Glenn 18 Jaydn SuAUBet verdict:?Losers in eight of their last 10, the Broncos will be desperate for a win and, if you follow the money trail, the one-time premiership favourties will be getting one. History suggests a similar outcome; Brisbane has won 10 of their last 11 match-ups.Enter your ESPNfootytips NRL selectionsFriday, August 05Parramatta Eels ($2.95) v Manly Sea Eagles ($1.40), PirtekStadium at 7:50pmEels:?1 Michael Gordon 2 Vai Toutai 3 Michael Jennings 4 Brad Takairangi 5 Bevan French 6 Clint Gutherson 7 Jeff Robson 8 Danny Wicks 9 Isaac De Gois 10 Tim Mannah 11 Manu Mau 12 Tepai Moeroa 13 Beau Scott. Interchange: 14 Kaysa Pritchard 15 Peni Terepo 16 Kenny Edwards 17 Daniel Alvaro 18 David GowerSea Eagles:?1 Tom Trbojevic 2 Jorge Taufua 3 Lewis Brown 4 Brayden Williame 5 Matthew Wright 6 Dylan Walker 7 Daly Cherry-Evans 8 Darcy Lussick 9 Apisai Koroisau 10 Martin Taupau 11 Nathan Green 12 Jamie Buhrer 13 Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14 Blake Leary 15 Josh Starling 16 Addin Fonua-Blake 17 Siosaia Vave 21 Nate Myles 23 Matt ParcellUBet verdict:?Early shoppers have latched onto the Sea Eagles and the intense interest makes sense. Manly, still a sneaky $5.00 finals chance, are in great form, having won and covered in their past four fixtures.Enter your ESPNfootytips NRL selectionsSaturday, August 06Newcastle Knights ($5.85) v Cantebury Bankstwon Bulldogs ($1.14), Hunter Stadium at 3pmKnights:?1 Jake Mamo 2 Nathan Ross 3 Dane Gagai 4 Peter Matautia 5 Brendan Elliot 6 Jarrod Mullen 7 Trent Hodkinson 8 Sam Mataora 9 Danny Levi 10 Daniel Saifiti 11 Korbin Sims 12 Pauli Pauli 13 Jeremy Smith. Interchange: 14 Chris Adams 15 Pat Matautia 16 Jacob Saifiti 17 Mickey Paea 18 David BhanaBulldogs:?1 Will Hopoate 2 Brett Morris 3 Josh Morris 4 Curtis Rona 5 Sam Perrett 6 Josh Reynolds 7 Moses Mbye 8 Aiden Tolman 9 Michael Lichaa 10 James Graham 11 Josh Jackson 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13 David Klemmer. Interchange: 14 Sam Kasiano 15 Danny Fualalo 16 Tony Williams 17 Tim BrowneUBet verdict:?Canterbury has won and covered in its last two outings against Newcastle and the initial investment suggests a repeat is on the cards. 16.5 was the opening line, but it could increase on current trends.Enter your ESPNfootytips NRL selectionsCronulla Sharks ($1.43) v Canberra Raiders ($2.85), Southern Cross Group Stadium at 5.30pmSharks:?1 Ben Barba 2 Sosaia Feki 3 Jack Bird 4 Gerard Beale 5 Valentine Holmes 6 James Maloney 7 Chad Townsend 8 Andrew Fifita 9 Michael Ennis 10 Sam Tagataese 11 Luke Lewis 12 Wade Graham 13 Paul Gallen. Interchange: 14 Joseph Paulo 15 Chris Heighington 16 Matt Prior 17 Jason BukuyaRaiders:?1 Jack Wighton 2 Edrick Lee 3 Jarrod Croker 4 Joey Leilua 5 Jordan Rapana 6 Blake Austin 7 Aidan Sezer 8 Junior Paulo 9 Josh Hodgson 10 Shannon Boyd 11 Josh Papalii 12 Elliott Whitehead 13 Shaun Fensom. Interchange: 14 Adam Clysdale 15. Luke Bateman 16. Iosia Soliola 17 Joseph TapineUBet verdict:?A tantalising showdown between two red-hot teams. Canberra thrashed Souths last week and have won eight of their last nine, while Cronulla is unbeaten since round three. At this stage, investment in is split 50:50.Enter your ESPNfootytips NRL selectionsMelbourne Storm ($1.14) v South Sydney Rabbitohs ($2.dddddddddddd85), AAMI Park at 7.30pmStorm:?1 Cameron Munster 2 Suliasi Vunivalu 3 Will Chambers 4 Cheyse Blair 5 Marika Koroibete 6 Blake Green 7 Cooper Cronk 8 Jesse Bromwich 9 Cameron Smith 10 Tim Glasby 11 Kevin Proctor 12 Tohu Harris 13 Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14 Kenneath Bromwich 15 Christian Welch 16 Felise Kaufusi 17 Ben Hampton 18 Matt WhiteRabbitohs:?1 Cody Walker 2 Alex Johnston 3 Hymel Hunt 4 Aaron Gray 5 Joe Burgess 6 Greg Inglis 7 Adam Reynolds 8 George Burgess 9 Damien Cook 10 Zane Musgrove 11 John Sutton 12 Angus Crichton 13 Sam Burgess. Interchange: 14 Jason Clark 15 Nathan Brown 16 Kyle Turner 17 Tom BurgessUBet verdict:?A tantalising showdown between two red-hot teams. Canberra thrashed Souths last week and have won eight of their last nine, while Cronulla is unbeaten since round three. At this stage, investment in is split 50:50.Enter your ESPNfootytips NRL selectionsSunday, August 07Gold Coast Titans ($1.70) v New Zealand Warriors ($2.15), Cbus SuperStadium at 2:00pmTitans:?1 David Mead 2 Anthony Don 3 Josh Hoffman 4 Konrad Hurrell 5 Nene Macdonald 6 Tyrone Roberts 7 Ash Taylor 8 Luke Douglas 9 Nathan Peats 10 Ryan James 11 Zeb Taia 12 Chris McQueen 13 Greg Bird. Interchange: 14 Eddy Pettybourne 15 Leivaha Pulu 16 Agnatius Paasi 17 Cameron Cullen 18 Ryan SimpkinsWarriors:?1 Tuimoala Lolohea 2 Ken Maumalo 3 David Fusitua 4 Solomone Kata 5 Manu Vatuvei 6 Thomas Leuluai 7 Shaun Johnson 8 Jacob Lillyman 9 Issac Luke 10 Albert Vete 11 Bodene Thompson 12 Ryan Hoffman 13 Simon Mannering. Interchange: 14 Nathaniel Roache 15 Sam Lisone 16 Ben Matulino 17 Bunty Afoa 18 Blake AyshfordUBet verdict:?New Zealand has won their last five on the Gold Coast against the Titans and tip is for more of the same here. At this stage, the Warriors are the better backed team and their head-to-head quote may need trim.Enter your ESPNfootytips NRL selectionsWest Tigers ($2.65) v North Queensland Cowboys ($1.48), Leichardt Oval at 4:00pmTigers:?1 James Tedesco 2 David Nofoaluma 3 Tim Simona 4 Kevin Naiqama 5 Jordan Rankin 6 Mitchell Moses 7 Jack Littlejohn 8 Aaron Woods 9 Dene Halatau 10 Sauaso Sue 11 Josh Aloiai 12 Chris Lawrence 13 Elijah Taylor. Interchange: 14 Kyle Lovett 15 Ava Seumanufagai 16 Tim Grant 17 Joel Edwards 18 Michael Chee-KamCowboys:?1 Lachlan Coote 2 Javid Bowen 3 Justin ONeill 4 Kane Linnett 5 Antonio Winterstein 6 Michael Morgan 7 Ray Thompson 8 Matt Scott 9 Jake Granville 10 James Tamou 11 Gavin Cooper 12 Ethan Lowe 13 Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14 Rory Kostjasyn 15 John Asiata 16 Scott Bolton 17 Ben HannantUBet verdict:?The Cowboys have outscored the Tigers 72-6 in their last two matches and, although Wests have been impressive of late, there has already been an early look at the away team at the minus.Enter your ESPNfootytips NRL selectionsMonday, August 08Penrith Panthers ($1.60) v Sydney Roosters ($2.35), Pepper Stadium at 7:00pmPanthers:?1 Matt Moylan 2 Josh Mansour 3 Waqa Blake 4 Tyrone Peachey 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6 Bryce Cartwright 7 Nathan Cleary 8 Leilani Latu 9 Peter Wallace 10 Suaia Matagi 11 Isaah Yeo 12 James Fisher-Harris 13 Trent Merrin. Interchange: 14 Moses Leota 15 Sitaleki Akauola 16 Chris Grevsmuhl 17 Zak HardakerRoosters:?1 Blake Ferguson 2 Daniel Tupou 3 Dale Copley 4 Shaun Kenny-Dowall 5 Latrell Mitchell 6 Connor Watson 7 Mitchell Pearce 8 Isaac Liu 9 Jake Friend 10 Dylan Napa 11 Boyd Cordner 12 Mitchell Aubusson 13 Sio Siua Taukeiaho. Interchange: 14 Sam Moa 15 Aidan Guerra 16 Ryan Matterson 17 Kane EvansUBet verdict:?Sydney have played five Monday night games this season and lost each and every one of them and, despite their demolition job on Brisbane last week, the early betting indicators point to another onset of Mondayitis.Enter your ESPNfootytips NRL selections ' ' '