Terence Crawford’s career is far from over and he’s achieved more than just about any active professional boxer … there’s just one thing he’s missing, an Olympic medal.
Golf reporter Amanda Balionis has shared a cryptic Instagram post about connecting with people after Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica Stoll were spotted enjoying time together at the Olympics.
McIlroy and his wife are currently in Paris, where the 35-year-old is representing Ireland in the Olympic golf event at Le Golf National, alongside Shane Lowry. The couple have been spotted enjoying the Olympic action, watching Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal in tennis action against Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek.
The four-time major winner and his wife have recently made headlines after McIlroy announced they were divorcing, only to later call off the proceedings as the couple give their relationship another shot. In the lead up to the U. S. Open, McIlroy’s personal life was thrust into the spotlight when he discussed his divorce plans, amidst rumours of a romantic link with Balionis. Speculation grew as the pair shared a jovial interview, as Balionis was seen without her wedding ring. However, any rumours were put to bed when McIlroy and Stoll halted their divorce proceedings.
READ: Why Tiger Woods Isn’t Playing In The Olympics
Since then, Balionis has posted several cryptic messages on Instagram, leading some to believe there may be a hidden meaning related to McIlroy. Her latest post, a collection of July highlights, includes a message about connecting through humour and enjoying laughter with others.
“Cherish the gift of humor. Life doesn’t need to be so gloomy. Spirituality doesn’t need to be so serious and somber. Work doesn’t need to be that way either. Learn to see the humor in life. Look for it. Find it. Enjoy it. Surround yourself with people who like to laugh,” the post read.
“Being around people who laugh can open us up to the power of humor in our own lives. Laughter can become contagious. There I something magnetic, something healing, about being around people who let themselves laugh often.”
McIlroy opened up about the swirling rumours concerning his private life in the build-up to his disappointing performance at Pinehurst No. 2, where he lost out to Bryson DeChambeau after bogeying three of the final four holes. But he steered clear of delving into specifics regarding his relationships.
“There have been rumours about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate,” McIlroy remarked. “Responding to each rumour is a fool’s game. Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”
McIlroy wrapped up the first round of the Olympic tournament tied for sixteenth place at three-under-par. Meanwhile, The Open champion Xander Schauffele is vying to retain his gold medal, finishing the first round tied for second on six-under-par. Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama is out in front, leading into the second round on eight-under-par.
Rafael Nadal didn’t want to overanalyze his performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, admitting that he simply wasn’t good enough in single, while in doubles, they played a bad match.
The 38-year-old had high hopes for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris because the Spaniard was encouraged by the way he practiced and the way he played at the Bastad Open ahead of the tournament.
Nobody thought he could seriously challenge for a medal in singles because Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic seemed better than him. Some had hoped that he could be competitive in the doubles with Alcaraz, and after they played a strong opening match, those aspirations certainly grew.
JUST IN: Paris Olympics: ‘Worried’ Novak Djokovic Confronts Unsettling Reality as Serbian Dream Stands on the Brink
In singles, the 22-time major winner started really well but then experienced some minor issues against Marton Fucsovics, which made it clear that he likely wouldn’t be able to beat Novak Djokovic in the second round.
The draw was unfortunate because, with a few more matches in Paris, he might have been able to sneak his way to a medal. Getting Djokovic in the second round was brutal, and the match showed that he clearly wasn’t on that top level.
The doubles exit came against a good pairing of Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek, who simply played better than them. After the match, Nadal didn’t really want to overanalyze what went wrong for him at the Olympics.
He was quite open about not being good enough in singles, and his doubles performance, at least the quarter-final match, was also not very good, which he also recognized.
“I haven’t been at the level I needed to fight for medals in the singles. In the doubles, we were playing at a very good level, but today we weren’t accurate.”
“As I’ve said every day, the matches go by very quickly and every little detail has its impact. Today we didn’t start well and we weren’t able to take the match to the limit.”
Overall, Nadal’s experience at the Olympics wasn’t the worst, but also not the best. He never thought he would play at the 2024 Olympics many years ago, so being there for him was a blessing. He did well, all things considered, and he cherished the experience of playing with Alcaraz.
“The experience has been positive, we generated everything we had to generate to give ourselves a chance, we had a fantastic relationship, we shared a lot off the court and on it we were happy, motivated, excited.”
“It couldn’t be, there’s no more to it, today we weren’t accurate. For me, there’s no need to analyse much more, we weren’t good enough. The only thing I have to analyse now is when I have the flight back home (laughs), but I’m taking away an experience and memories for life.”
Of course, this was Nadal’s final Olympic appearance, and the fact that it was in Paris is certainly a fitting end for a player who left a great legacy at the Games and at Roland Garros.
The Parisian crowd was seen depicting an unusual aura during Novak Djokovic‘s quarter-final showdown.
While the Serb is generally seen indulging in feuds with the Frenchmen, he makes everyone switch their perspectives and bow down to his dominance. However, besides the massive support, the spectators also appeared to be tensed as the tennis great struggled with uneasiness in his knee.
Djokovic recently managed to move one step closer to his first Olympic gold medal. The Serb showcased appreciable levels of action, eventually securing a hard-fought win against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas on Thursday. Although the first set came quite easy to him (6-3), it was the second one (7-6) that aroused a concerning situation for Djokovic, who recently recovered from a meniscus tear.
READ: ‘I Don’t Need the Fakeness’ – Danielle Collins Accuses Iga Swiatek of Disrespecting Her Injury in Controversial Paris Olympics Clash
After the match, Djokovic expressed worries about his knee. “I am very worried, honestly, I don’t know what to say. I finished the match, and the intense pain went away. Whether I hit myself or slipped, I don’t even know,” he said.
🗣️ Novak Djokovic says that he is worried about his knee, and that the pain felt very similar to the meniscus tear at Roland Garros 🤕
“I am very worried, honestly, I don’t know what to say. I finished the match, and the intense pain went away. Whether I hit myself or slipped,… pic.twitter.com/A8MCIJoc6T
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) August 1, 2024
Reflecting on a previous injury, the Serb added, “It all resembled the 4th round of Roland Garros where I managed to finish the match, and then I found out I was injured. I am pleased with the victory, but I am worried.” The 37-year-old, who had surgery on the same knee in June, was seen limping in pain during the second set. The situation came to such a scary extent that he even had to call for the physio twice, first at 0-3 and then again at 1-4.
Although Djokovic’s determination on the court was commendable, his latest injury scare has cast doubt on his journey towards the first-ever Olympic gold. Amid the concerning situation, there was a moment when the Serb explained that his comeback post-surgery was well-timed and not early.
Djokovic recently made it to the final of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships after undergoing knee surgery. While there were many who raised concerns that his quick return was “premature” and “reckless,” he strictly dismissed these claims. In a press conference during the grass-court major, he explained that his focus during rehab was solely on making a comeback.
“I was really focused on trying to make Wimbledon happen for me this year and I was not reckless on any day,” Djokovic said. He explained that he followed his rehab plan properly, saying, “I followed every single day everything that they said that I have to do. I did even more than that.”
Djokovic acknowledged why some might think his return was too soon but helped them with a clearer perspective. “Everything that we’ve done in the process of 20+ days has been giving us a positive indication and signal. So I understand why people were thinking it’s premature, it’s maybe reckless. But I don’t think it was,” he stated.
Even though the fans were convinced by his confident statement, the recent scare at Roland Garros has once again raised doubts about a full recovery. Moving ahead to the semi-finals, his form will be under scrutiny.
Every boxing fan wants to see ‘the’ fight. Two of sport’s biggest names, Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez, in a momentous clash.
Talks about a potential fight have been going on for some time now. Even His Excellency Turki Alalshikh has expressed a keen interest on the much-sought-after match-up. Thoughts and discussions apart, social media is already abuzz with ‘the outcome’ game. Who will win? Or, who has a better chance of winning?
Oleksandr Usyk is preparing for the rematch with Tyson Fury. Days following his epic win over the Mancunian saw him vacate the IBF title, thus making his undisputed championship one of the shortest in boxing history. Like many, Usyk too found himself in a corner boxed by a poser on the Crawford-Alvarez puzzle. The P4P number-one boxer, however, knew the answer. Ever since it reached the ears of the fans, discussion on the subject has become more rigorous.
JUST IN: ‘GREEDY BELLY, YOU’RE MY FRIEND’ – USYK TROLLS FURY’S TRAINING FOR THE REMATCH
Oleksandr Usyk was a guest on the ‘3 Knockdown Rule’ podcast. As the show neared its end, host Mario Lopez finally asked, “What about there? There’s talk. It’s not official, of course, but there’s talk of a potential fight between Canelo and Terrence Crawford. How do you see that fight?”
Oleksandr Usyk said he believes Terence Crawford would beat Canelo Alvarez: “Terence is my friend, but he's a crazy man. I say Terence wins. Listen, Terence is a different man. Terence works in two stances, he's a very, very, very smart man.” [@3KRPodcast]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) August 1, 2024
“I like Terence,” responded the champion. Usyk revealed that ‘Bud’ happens to be his friend. But when the push comes to shove, Terence Crawford will win. “Terence, it’s different, man. Terence works in two, two, two sides, two sides, right and left, but it’s very smart, man. It’s very, very smart, but feel the distance and the place.”
From the time he became boxing’s first male two-division undisputed champion, Terence Crawford made it clear what he wanted next. Aside from Alvarez, his list included Jermell Charlo. It underwent alteration following the ‘Iron Man’ suffering a defeat from the Mexican icon. However, concerns over the sheer weight gap always raised alarm and concern across the board.
Clearly, there was no unanimity among fans over a clear winner. To some, the super middleweight champion would remain unscathed. But then a few believe the Nebraskan southpaw has the wherewithal to usurp the throne. Let’s check what a few others had to say about the ambitious lineup.
Given Oleksandr Usyk’s winning streak, this fan believes that on the Crawford-Alvarez question, the Ukrainian champion might face an aberration. According to them, Canelo Alvarez’s physical attributes give him a significant advantage. Hence, it might as well be a one-sided fight, where he might dominate ‘Bud’ Crawford.
Oleksandr Usyk said he believes Terence Crawford would beat Canelo Alvarez: “Terence is my friend, but he's a crazy man. I say Terence wins. Listen, Terence is a different man. Terence works in two stances, he's a very, very, very smart man.” [@3KRPodcast]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) August 1, 2024
Commonwealth Games gold medalist and former professional boxer Anthony Fowler also seems to favor Canelo Alvarez for the win. Reinforcing the belief that weight classes often play a crucial role in determining outcomes in boxing, he insisted that Alvarez’s prowess at 168 pounds makes him a clear favorite.
Oleksandr Usyk said he believes Terence Crawford would beat Canelo Alvarez: “Terence is my friend, but he's a crazy man. I say Terence wins. Listen, Terence is a different man. Terence works in two stances, he's a very, very, very smart man.” [@3KRPodcast]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) August 1, 2024
Given how Yuriorkis Gamboa shook him up in their 2014 fight, this fan also lacks confidence in whether ‘Bud’ Crawford can withstand the shots from the hard-hitting Alvarez. Perhaps taking a dig, they suggested that the Nebraskan might as well check with Jermell Charlo beforehand to see how Alvarez’s punches felt. Underscoring the Mexican icon’s prowess in the ring, they predicted the likelihood of the match ending in the sixth round—in Alvarez’s favor.
Oleksandr Usyk said he believes Terence Crawford would beat Canelo Alvarez: “Terence is my friend, but he's a crazy man. I say Terence wins. Listen, Terence is a different man. Terence works in two stances, he's a very, very, very smart man.” [@3KRPodcast]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) August 1, 2024
However, this fan finds himself siding with Usyk. expressing their preference for Crawford over Alvarez in the hypothetical matchup, they believe that ‘Bud’s superior skills in movement, reflexes, and hand to understand punching power might enable him to dominate the fight. conceding that Alvarez has too much of a granite chin to be knocked out; however, they espoused that Crawford would barely give a quarter.
Oleksandr Usyk said he believes Terence Crawford would beat Canelo Alvarez: “Terence is my friend, but he's a crazy man. I say Terence wins. Listen, Terence is a different man. Terence works in two stances, he's a very, very, very smart man.” [@3KRPodcast]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) August 1, 2024
Then this user felt that maybe Terence Crawford should note down a few items from Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s playbook if he wants to defeat Canelo Alvarez. The former world champion’s method, where he overpowered the Mexican boxer with his sheer technical skills, gives ‘Bud’ the best chance of scoring a ‘W’.
Oleksandr Usyk said he believes Terence Crawford would beat Canelo Alvarez: “Terence is my friend, but he's a crazy man. I say Terence wins. Listen, Terence is a different man. Terence works in two stances, he's a very, very, very smart man.” [@3KRPodcast]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) August 1, 2024
It should now be understandable how debatable the matchup is. On his part, Terence Crawford, after a year-long break, will enter the ring on August 3 to mark his debut in the light middleweight division. So instead of three, he is now short of the super middleweight division by two weight classes.
In September, Canelo Alvarez will also face his year’s second opponent. He is no longer an undisputed champion. so he will have to defend his remaining unified titles from Edgar Berlanga on the weekend before Mexican Independence Day. So may be after that, by this year-end or first quarter next year, will the fight with Terence Crawford eventually make through?
Oleksandr Usyk reacted to Tyson Fury’s training ahead of their rematch on December 21.
Usyk defeated Fury to become the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the world. Despite winning via a split decision, Usyk dominated the fight. Fury’s only good rounds were the middle parts of the fight. Usyk almost knocked out Fury in round nine, only for the referee to impose a standing eight count when Uysk was going to the finish.
Fury refused to accept the loss, saying Usyk made the decision due to the war in Ukraine. He referred to Usyk as an amateur boxer. The rematch offers the chance for redemption. However, it will not be undisputed as Usyk vacated the IBF belt. Fury has been putting in the work early. The following footage shows Fury after a run. He then stated the following.
Fury Reacts
JUST IN: Terence Crawford vs Israil Madrimov: Madrimov manager urges ‘fair fight’ from the powers that be
Tyson Fury: “I just finished a little bit of a run on the bay with the lads, working away, chipping away nicely. December 21st, Usyk, you’re on notice. Come on.”
In contrast, Usyk has been taking things much easier since the win. Usyk is starring in the new film Smashing Machine alongside The Rock. He will play the character of Ukrainian kickboxer Igor ‘Ice Cold’ Vovchanchyn. He has already made an impression with Johnson and Snoop Dogg, who came to visit him on set.
The Ukrainian also attended the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Usyk was vocal about the state of amateur boxing, with worries it could get scraped from the Olympics. Usyk won an Olympic Gold in London 2012 and went professional a year later. The importance of the Olympics showed as Usyk became undisputed at cruiserweight and heavyweight. The Ukrainian was not happy with the standards.
“For many years, there has been a desire to change the boxing system, which is rotten on an international level. So, we just need to work. No promises need to be made; we need to act. When you do this, people see the work done and come to you, asking to collaborate. But I think boxing will be in the Olympic Games. We are at war. But our athletes still came. They are fighting,” Usyk said
Although Fury was pushing the limits with his training, Usyk was unfazed.
Oleksandr Usyk: “Hey, my friend, ‘Greedy Belly,’ continue training. I’m ready, brother. I know your hard work is good. I appreciate it. Thank you so much, ‘Greedy Belly.’ You’re my friend. You are my friend.”
The rematch is pivotal for both. Another win for Usyk may be enough for him to walk away from the sport. His team has already hinted at a crossover fight. Conor McGregor has been mentioned as an opponent in BKFC. There is also the chance that Usyk will drop back down to cruiserweight. However, that is unlikely, as he would have to lose much weight.
This would be more difficult at this stage of his career now that he is 37. Meanwhile, another loss for Fury will leave question marks over where he goes next. Although there is the Anthony Joshua fight, it will not be as big as it would have been. Either way, there is plenty on the line come fight night.
Consider it a preemptive strike rooted in an abundance of supportive evidence.
To close Thursday’s news conference with favored, three-division world champion Terence Crawford, new World Boxing Association (WBA) junior-middleweight champion Israil Madrimov of Uzbekistan said, “My dream is to create something that nobody expects and win the fight I’m not supposed to win. I believe I can do that Saturday night.”
The point of emphasis for Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) and his team Thursday was to make it clear to the three judges, referee and California commission that an upset is indeed possible, urging them to look for it.
READ: Can Terence Crawford Beat Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez in Their Prime?
Much of this campaigning has to do with some recently criticized scoring in boxing – Robson Conceicao’s junior-lightweight title victory over O’Shaquie Foster, Sean McComb’s split-decision loss to unbeaten 140-pounder Arnold Barboza Jr. and Marlon Tapales’ split-decision triumph last year over Madrimov’s stablemate and former junior-featherweight champion Murodjon “M.J.” Akhmadaliev.
While translating for Madrimov, the fighter’s manager, Vadim Kornilov, went off script and said this in English:
“I know that I’m fighting the best in Terence Crawford and his team, but I’m also fighting his fans and the rest … and I’m hoping that everything will be fair and neutral.
“I’m expecting that this event is big enough – the whole world is going to watch this event – and I hope everything will be fair and square on fight night.”
The astute Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) cracked, “That wasn’t the translation … .”
Kornilov admitted he was taking a liberty, but insisted he was speaking the truth.
“I don’t want anyone to take it the wrong way. There’s more to it. Everyone understood what I meant,” he said.
His stance is partially connected to a fresh wound.
Wednesday night on the Santa Monica (Calif.) Pier, another Madrimov stablemate and countryman, welterweight Shakhram Giyasov (16-0, 9 KOs) barely remained unbeaten when he defeated Mexico’s Miguel Parra by split-decision, 95-94, 96-93, 94-95, when Giyasov had a point deducted for a low blow by referee David Solivan.
Both Giyasov and Kornilov objected to the ruling and wanted a replay, but the replay system was not available.
California State Athletic Commission Executive Officer Andy Foster told BoxingScene that Nevada referee Jay Nady will preside over the ringside replay system at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles Saturday night.
In addition to staffing respected veteran referee Jack Reiss to Crawford-Madrimov, the California commission has assigned judges Steve Weisfeld of New Jersey, Canada’s Benoit Roussel and Fernando Villarreal of California to score the bout.
One member of Madrimov’s team recommended Roussel for the bout following his 98-92 score favoring McComb over Barboza on April 20 in New York.
Crawford’s team didn’t request a specific judge, asking for the placement of the highest-qualified judges possible, according to a California official.
“(Fans) are coming from all over the world because they want the best to win,” Kornilov said on the news-conference dais for the first U.S. card sponsored by Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season, an effort headed by Turki Alalshikh.
Boxing experts have speculated Saturday’s stacked card is a $70 million show.
“They’re investing millions because what’s happening in the business has got to change,” Kornilov said. “There’s too much B.S. The best man in the ring has got to win, and I think everybody agrees with that. I don’t think anyone here wants to get a decision they don’t deserve.”
Kornilov said he spoke up not because he thinks there’s any funny business going on. He said he’s certain that while boxing fan Alalshikh has designated Crawford a Riyadh Season ambassador and has struck up a friendship with the veteran champion, he wants the rightful winner to emerge.
“(Alalshikh) doesn’t take favors. He doesn’t want an undeserving winner on his shows. I know that for a fact. He’s said that,” Kornilov said. “The whole world should know that.”
While Crawford’s pedigree and fame is more substantial than Madrimov, the new champion is also a two-handed power puncher who’s dedicated his life to the craft of the sport, piling up more than 300 amateur fights and becoming a champion in his 11th pro bout.
Crawford has not been a constant “A” side fighter. He was the “B” side in his most recent bout, his signature ninth-round TKO of three-belt welterweight champion Errol Spence one year ago this week.
Kornilov thinks so highly of Crawford’s integrity he said he’d doubt that Crawford would celebrate a triumph claimed by flawed judging.
But Kornilov watched two years ago in Las Vegas as all three judges – including Weisfeld – scored the first four rounds for the more-popular Canelo Alvarez over Madrimov’s close friend, Russia’s WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitrii Bivol.
Bivol seemed to comfortably win the fight and ultimately emerged victorious, but only by three 115-113 scores.
Kornilov was aghast when judge Javier Alvarez delivered his then-champion Akhmadaliev a wide 118-110 score in April 2023, only to watch defeat arrive when judges Sergio Caiz and Jose Roberto Torres each scored the bout 115-113 for Tapales – who then landed a lucrative unification against Japan’s Naoya Inoue while that bout has evaded Akhmadaliev.
Madrimov “knows all that’s happened,” Kornilov said, but he doesn’t expect the flawed-scoring horror stories to force the fighter to chase a knockout as if it’s his only route to victory.
“He worries about this. He’s seen his comrades not get these decisions … I’m saying this to make sure everybody feels the responsibility to get it right,” Kornilov said.
Iga Swiatek and Danielle Collins stirred up a controversy in the middle of their quarter-final match in the Paris Olympics.
The American star later retired mid-way through the third set, as she was trailing 1-4. While there is a lot of reasoning going around, regarding the whole match, Collins put forward her point of view after the match.
Many believe Iga Swiatek strategically slowed things down in the second set. Collins, thereafter, called a protracted timeout in the third set which initially seemed a retaliation to Swiatek’s act, but when she retired, it was confirmed that the American was indeed injured. However, while the drama was on, the fans were irritated as they felt that the mind games and disruptions detracted from the excitement of the game.
READ: ‘Until the Wheels Fall Off’ – Coco Gauff Bravely Vows to Conquer Hurdles for Team USA
After the match, Collins was asked about the conversation that she had with the world number one just before retiring from the quarterfinal clash. “I told Iga she didn’t have to be insincere about, you know, my injury. There’s a lot that happens on camera, and there are a lot of people with a ton of charisma and come out and are one way on camera and another way in the locker room,” the 30-year-old said.
Further, she added, “And I just haven’t had the best experience, and I don’t really feel like anybody needs to be insincere. They can be the way that they are. I can accept that, and I don’t need the fakeness.” Collins, who was frustrated, suggested that Iga Swiatek’s actions and remarks minimized the severity of her injury and added drama to the already intense exchange.
Danielle Collins was asked what she said to Iga Swiatek when she spoke to her after retiring from their quarterfinal with what Collins later explained was an abdominal muscle injury.#olympics #tennis pic.twitter.com/ycnCj4etaH
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) July 31, 2024
After the two players won a set each, Iga Swiatek and Danielle Collins were evenly matched; however, a mistake by Swiatek while playing a shot in the third set drastically changed the dynamics of the match. On the first point of the last set, Swiatek walked up to the net and hit a straight volley in Collins’ direction.
Following that, the American player answered with a passing blow that caught Swiatek in the stomach, giving the Pole a great deal of distress. The World No. 1 was seen clutching her stomach, clearly in pain.
Even though the competition was fierce, Collins went over to see how her opponent was doing. However, in the end, it was Collins who retired citing an injury. Looking into the chaotic match, Martina Navratilova came forward to talk about the breaks, that both the players took throughout the match.
The momentum of the match was disrupted during the second set when Iga Swiatek took a lengthy restroom break, setting off the drama. In response, Danielle Collins took a long break in the third set, which further soured things between the two players. Martina Navratilova took to her X account to talk about it.
If we're keeping score for extended off-court breaks since the second set, it's now 1-1 between Iga Swiatek and Danielle Collins
This all seems far, far from ideal
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) July 31, 2024
“Guess how many times I went to the bathroom in my whole career in some 1700 matches?” Navratilova wrote in response to a post that was talking about the extended breaks in the match between Swiatek and Collins. The 67-year-old was probably suggesting that despite playing so many matches over her long career, she hardly ever needed such extended breaks.
Nevertheless, looking back at the post-match interview of Collins, it won’t be wrong to say that her comments added a significant layer of drama to an already intense match, marked by strategic delays, physical discomfort, and a heated exchange on the court.
Tiger Woods has achieved almost everything in his career, but there’s one big omission – here’s why he’s not playing in the Olympics, and never has…
There’s very little Tiger Woods hasn’t achieved in his career, but there is one glaring omission from his incredible resume – he has yet to make an appearance in the Olympics, and he’s not at Paris 2024, either. But why is that?
Because the qualifying criteria is based on the Official World Golf Ranking, Woods didn’t get close to making Team USA for the 2024 Olympics. However, while he never looked like forcing his way into contention throughout the two-year qualifying period, he has been unlucky to miss out at other times in his career.
READ: “Allow the countries to pick themselves”: Jon Rahm wants Olympic chiefs to make key change after LIV Golf stars snubbed
Golf only returned to the Olympics schedule in 2016 after a 112-year hiatus. Had it been part of the Games in previous editions, there is no doubt whatsoever that Woods would have played a big part for Team USA given his dominance in the earlier part of his career.
Incredibly, between 18 May 1997 and 27 February 2011, Woods was never lower than third in the world rankings. That would have made him a shoo-in for the Olympics had golf been held in the three editions the period encompassed. He’d have almost certainly made it to the 2012 London Olympics, too, had golf been held there, given he spent months leading to the Games within the world’s top four.
While golf didn’t return to the Olympics until four years later, in Rio de Janeiro, by then, injuries had begun to take their toll on his ranking. In particular, back surgery that sidelined him for almost all of 2016 scuppered arguably his best chance of making an appearance.
There has certainly been no lack of desire on Woods’ part to appear at an Olympics, although, before the 2019 US Open, he admitted age was catching up with him.
Speaking about making it to the 2020 games in Tokyo, he said: “Olympic gold medal would be a hell of a feat. First I need to qualify. It would be exciting if I got a chance to represent the United States in the Olympic Games.
“I don’t know how many more times I get a run at it. Next time I’ll be 48. So it’s… I don’t have that many chances of playing for the United States in the Olympics. So it will certainly be an honor if I were able to represent the United States.”
Woods certainly appeared primed for an appearance as the new decade began. In January 2020. Helped by his 15th Major win at The Masters the previous April, Woods was seventh in the world needing to overtake one of Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson and Patrick Cantlay in the world rankings by 22 June to confirm his place as one of the top four Americans.
Then, the Covid-19 pandemic hit, postponing the games for a year and delaying the qualifying cut-off until 21 June 2021. In January that year, it was announced that Woods had undergone microdiscectomy surgery to remove a bone fragment that pinched a nerve, which all but ended his chances.
The following month, he was involved in a single-car accident that badly damaged his right leg and threatened the end of his career. At that point, any lingering hopes he may somehow make the team were stopped in their tracks, and he has struggled to recover his best form ever since returning a year later at The Masters.
With the cut-off for qualification for the 2024 Olympics coming immediately after the US Open at Pinehurst No.2, Woods was far away from where he needed to be to make the team, standing 842nd when, ultimately, only a place in the top seven would do.
Fans have learned over the years that you write off Woods at your peril, particularly when he has a point to prove, so it would be unwise to completely dismiss his chances of making the team for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 just yet. However, that would take an extraordinary effort, even by his own incredible standards.
While time will tell how competitive Woods is when the qualifying period begins for the next Games, for now, it is possibly safer to assume that, where Woods and the Olympics are concerned, it might ultimately be a case of “not meant to be.”
When you find yourself at the pinnacle of modern boxing, you invariably draw parallels with the greats of the last generation.
It’s the position that Terence Crawford finds himself in at the moment. Doubts, applause, criticism, and shunned comments follow in a heated debate. Has he taken on the tag of the best modern welterweight since Floyd Mayweather Jr. left the scene? Has he what it takes to triumph over the face of boxing, Canelo Alvarez, a fight he desperately chases? These are the questions that cloud a boxing fan’s imagination.
These have plagued the fans’ minds ever since the Omaha native dismantled Errol Spence Jr. with ease last year and cemented his legacy as an undisputed champion in two different weight classes. Interestingly, ‘Money’ Mayweather was just hanging his gloves up when Crawford moved up to the division. Had he delayed his retirement a year later, the fans might have witnessed the two clash. But would ‘Bud’ have taken Mayweather Jr. down? It first depends on which version of Mayweather Jr. we are pitting him against.
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You could dissect Mayweather Jr.’s career into two halves, the first when he brought aggression and fight into the ring. And the second, when he racked up fame and tightened up his defense, fighting primarily on his back foot, rolling his shoulders, and content with collecting decision wins with relative ease. It was about his undefeated record, after all. The Michigan native had a solid, tight defense, which would have run counter to Crawford’s power and quick pair of hands. It would have been a classic bout, a style showdown.
Let’s talk about their size and skills first. You look at Crawford, 36, and you see why he would rip apart Mayweather Jr. with his taller frame, reach, and size advantage. At least on the paper. However, his hypothetical opponent has been elusive, honing his defensive skills to a near-perfect level. While Crawford bags the size and reach advantage with the ability to impose his will on the smaller but smarter rival, Mayweather Jr. has the better skillset to hit and not get hit, even against towering foes. That’s the mantra that stood up whenever ‘Money’ Mayweather fought inside the ring.
Mayweather Jr. tended to feel the fight initially and then pick apart anyone who stood across from him as the rounds progressed. But what if the 50-0 record holder’s stamina fizzles out in the middle rounds? Could he evade 10 or 12 rounds against the boxer, who is relentless, and packs a power, especially at close quarters? Whichever side you pick, either a hungry fighter with power, quick footwork, and a swift pair of hands, or a boxer with impenetrable defensive skills, you would leave home watching the two world-class fighters go for the kill.
Will you let your recency bias clog your judgment, or will you put your faith in a boxer who has the experience and has done it against fighters of all sizes and styles? If the Omaha native produced a flawless night, where he could hit and tear down Mayweather Jr., you could see him taking the win home. But is it happening? Mayweather Jr. wouldn’t let it happen, would he?
What separates Crawford, at 40-0, from the crop of modern fighters? It’s his explosive yet unpredictable style, where he manages to switch up stances from southpaw to orthodox or from orthodox to southpaw, the minute he senses his opponent has him figured out. You throw into the mix his impeccable defense and a high ring IQ, you have a fighter you will find it hard to deal with in the ring. What bugs his competitors the most is his ability to mold himself and adapt according to whatever his rivals are throwing. So, where does Canelo Alvarez find himself?
The Mexican champion has the skills, experience, and ability to land clean shots. You can sense a running theme here, don’t you? But you need to be careful with him in the ring, as he also had knockout power with his combinations before his hand injury slowed him down a bit. You could sit and heap praise on his ring generalship and his unusual skill of breaking down opponents with his devastating body shots. It’s something that Crawford has found troubling in his fights. In addition, the latter’s most effective weapon, his counters, runs the risk of getting negated because of the 34-year-old champion’s ring generalship. And when you take into consideration the prime Canelo Alvarez, the champion who was devouring the top-ranked fighters, you face an uphill battle.
Many continue to argue that Mayweather Jr. wouldn’t have beaten the 61-2-2 record holder if he were not young. Does Crawford stand a chance against the prime Alvarez? When you factor in the disparity in weight categories, Alvarez’s size, strength, and excellent conditioning, and more importantly, the super middleweight champion being the kryptonite to Crawford’s style, the task seems somewhere on the impossible side. Will Crawford’s aggression, speed, and unpredictable boxing style have been enough to tackle Alvarez’s technical style with splendid counterpunching and brilliant head movement? The odds might be very low. But stranger things have happened in boxing.
