DENZEL BENTLEY - ENDRA SAAVEDRA FIGHT ON HORIZON, PURSE BID HITS DELAY
The WBO has pushed for a resolution in the Denzel Bentley vs. Endra Saavedra middleweight eliminator. A deal for a Feb/March fight is near, avoiding a purse bid and moving the winner closer to a world title shot.
 
                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                Bentley-Saavedra fight postponed to 2026 - COURTESY/PHOTO
                            
                            The WBO middleweight title eliminator was updated during the sanctioning body's annual meeting, as was to be expected.
However, considering the time, the most recent action was somewhat of a surprise.
The WBO's 38th annual convention in Bogota, Colombia, revealed Thursday that the long-ago-ordered elimination match between Denzel Bentley and Endra Saavedra is almost over. On behalf of Bentley, Lee Eaton of Queensberry Promotions told WBO officials that an agreement to hold the bout in February or March of next year is within reach.
Following the removal of two distinct purse bids from the program, this scenario occurred. Saavedra's promoter, No Limit Boxing, insisted that a session be set for Monday after determining that the fight had progressed to a stage where a settlement was impossible.
But after being rescheduled for Wednesday, the issue was taken off the calendar entirely and put up for discussion on the floor.
The persistent problem, at least before the convention, was No Limit's intention to hold the fight in Australia. One possible landing spot was as a co-star in the Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa performance in Queensland, which was just announced for January 16.
Other than the potential to upgrade the fight, which was initially scheduled in July, to an interim title match, Queensberry did not indicate a site for its plans to hold the event.
The current WBO 160-pound champion, Janibek Alimkhanuly, is also the IBF champion. On December 6 in San Antonio, Kazakhstan's undefeated Alimkhanuly will square off against WBA champion Erislandy Lara in a three-belt unification match.
Lara and WBC titlist Carlos Adames will square off in the fight, which Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) is presenting on Prime Video Pay-Per-View. Queensberry and No Limit want to further safeguard their fighters' rights before their own scheduled battle because it is possible that the Alimkhanuly-Lara victor would face Adames for the undisputed title.
The WBO did not receive a motion to consider Bentley-Saavedra's temporary title. Instead, there was a demand that the two parties either quickly come to an agreement or be ready for another purse bid date that would soon be on the calendar.
CARLOS SAINZ HAILS SERGIO PEREZ’S PERSEVERANCE AS HE GAINS SECOND F1 SHOT
Carlos Sainz praises Sergio Perez's resilience in securing a Formula 1 return with the new Cadillac team. The Williams driver notes such "second chances" are rare, hailing Checo's proven talent and motivation for this new phase.
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                    Carlos Sainz highlights Perez’s earned return to F1 - COURTESY/PHOTO
                                
                                The Williams driver, who signed a contract with the new American team that will compete next season, commended Perez's tenacity in an interview with El Heraldo de Mexico.
Throughout his whole Formula 1 career, Checo has already demonstrated his strength and talent as a driver and an athlete, according to Sainz. He is currently getting ready for a second, distinct phase, which really inspires him.
Such results are uncommon in contemporary Formula 1, he said. Only drivers who have truly left their imprint, such as Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, and Checo, are given another shot, Sainz continued.
Cadillac's debut, according to Sainz, will intensify grid rivalry.
It will be difficult for everyone, he remarked, to have two more vehicles on the circuit and another team with more than 500 workers.
 
                                    NBA CUP CLASH LOOMS WITH LUKA DONCIC’S LAKERS COMEBACK POSSIBLE
Lakers stars Luka Doncic and Marcus Smart are listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Grizzlies. Their potential return is a welcome sight for Austin Reaves, who has shouldered a heavy load during their injury absence.
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                    Luka Doncic might rejoin Lakers for key Grizzlies game - COURTESY/PHOTO
                                
                                Austin Reaves made a request when asked about having to lead the team while LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and several other role players are out after the Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-115 with a buzzer-beating floater, capping a successful week of individual play.
"Please return, everyone, not just them [Doncic and James]," Reaves urged.
It appears that Reaves' wish might come true as early as Friday.
Doncic and Marcus Smart, who were both classified as questionable on the Lakers' Thursday night injury report, may return to action on Friday when they play the Memphis Grizzlies on the road.
Adou Thiero (recovering from surgery on his left knee), Gabe Vincent (left ankle sprain), Maxi Kleber (abdominal muscle strain), and LeBron James (right sciatica) are still out.
Due to a lower left leg contusion and a sprained left finger he sustained during the first quarter of a home victory over the Timberwolves on October 24, Doncic missed the last three games: a victory over the Timberwolves on Sunday, a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, and a victory over the Sacramento Kings on the road.
Five days after the medical update and one week after the finger injury, the team said prior to the game against the Kings that Doncic will be reevaluated in approximately a week.
Before Wednesday's victory, coach JJ Redick stated that Doncic's left middle finger swelling has decreased and that the contusion is "probably" a "day-to-day" occurrence.
Redick went on to say, "The oedema has somewhat decreased." It appears that he no longer has two fingers on his finger, but only one and a half. Thus, he is making progress. And we hope that we will get the chance to get him back into the starting lineup, perhaps in the next few games.
The 26-year-old Slovenian star opened the season with two dominant performances: 43 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, and two steals in the season-opening defeat to the Golden State Warriors, and 49 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists against the Timberwolves on October 24.
Before sustaining a quadriceps injury against the Kings, Smart, a 31-year-old veteran guard the Lakers signed in the offseason, averaged 7.7 points, two assists, and a steal in his three games (24.7 minutes).
In addition to the Lakers' other ailments, Reaves stepped up and averaged 40 points when Doncic was out. Doncic missed three games but finished with 10 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 steals.
"I place a lot of responsibility on myself, even when [Doncic and James] are playing," Reaves stated. Since they contribute so much to our team, it is clear that they have various roles. However, the responsibility shifts when we are without them.
Although it is a little more physically demanding, I am constantly trying to think of ways that I can support them both with and without the two. Therefore, it is unquestionably different in terms of how I have to play and behave.
The Lakers' first of four NBA Cup Group Play games is scheduled for this Friday.
The Lakers' other three Group Play games are against the Dallas Mavericks at home on November 28, the New Orleans Pelicans on November 14, and the Clippers at home on November 25.
 
        
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