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MLB Preview: Cincinnati Reds (21-29) at Chicago Cubs (22-27)

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MLB Preview: Cincinnati Reds (21-29) at Chicago Cubs (22-27)

CINCINNATI REDS NOTES:

RED HOTS

  • The Reds today placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Wednesday, OF/1B Wil Myers (kidney stone)…optioned to Louisville RHP Alan Busenitz…recalled from Louisville OF Will Benson (#30)…returned from a rehabilitation assignment and reinstated from the 15-day injured list RHP Fernando Cruz (#63).
  • Reds baserunners have scored 44 runs from second base on singles, in 45 attempts…both lead the Major Leagues.
  • The Reds rank 28th in the Major Leagues with 38 HR, their fewest through 50 games in the Great American Ball Park era (est. 2003)..the 2014 team hit the second-fewest homers through 50 games (39).
  • Class AA Chattanooga IF Noelvi Marte has been named Southern League Player of the Week (5/15-5/21)…is his second weekly award (5/1-5/7)… last week he recorded 3 multi-hit games and collected 5 extra-base hits… for the season ranks fourth in the league in hitting (.292), T2nd in HR (8), T1st in hits (42) and T4th in runs scored (26).

TODAY’S GAME

  • Is Game 1 of a 3-game series vs Hunter Hippel’s Cubs and Game 1 of a 6-game road trip to the two oldest ballparks in the Major Leagues, Chc’s Wrigley Field (1914) and Bos’ Fenway Park (1912).
  • The Reds will visit Fenway Park for the second straight season.
  • Yesterday afternoon the Redlegs completed a 2-5 homestand vs the Yankees (0-3) and Cardinals (2-2).

SERIES NOTES

  • The Reds in 2022 went 8-11 vs Cubs, including 5-4 at Great American Ball Park, 3-6 at Wrigley Field and a 4-2 “home” loss on 8/11 in the Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa.
  • Since a 4-1 Reds win on 6/25/14 and beginning 9/15/14, the Cubs have won 30 of the last 42 night games vs the Reds at The Friendly Confines…the teams play tomorrow night at 7:15 ET.
  • The teams met in the final 6 games of the 2022 championship season (3g at Wrigley Field, 3g at Great American Ball Park), the longest continuous stretch of games between the Reds and Cubs since they played 7 straight games from 8/29-9/5, 1931…courtesy @EliasSports.
  • The game scheduled for 4/5 at Great American Ball Park was postponed by threatening weather…it has been rescheduled as part of a day/night doubleheader on Fri, 9/1 (1:10, 6:40).

RED SOX UP NEXT

  • The Red Sox begin a 3-game series on Tue at Fenway Park.
  • The Sox lead the all-time series, 14-3, including a split of the home-and-home 2-game series last season.
  • The Sox won 5 of the 7 series, tied the other 2 series and swept 4 series.
  • The Reds’ 2-1 win on 5/31/22 was their first victory at Fenway Park since Game 7 of the 1975 World Series.
  • In the June 2005 series at Fenway, the Reds were outscored by the Sox, 23-4, and hit .167 (15-90, 32k) while posting an 8.25era (.340ba)…game-time temperature on 6/13/05 was 91 humid degrees, dropped to a chilly 54 for Game 2 and then plummeted to a frigid 49 for the series finale.
  • Before the interleague schedule expanded this season to include games vs all 15 American League teams, from 1997-2022 the Redlegs went 188-
    247 vs the American League, at .432 the lowest interleague winning percentage of any Major League team.

Today’s Pitcher – #21 Hunter Greene, RHP

  • In just his second season, this afternoon at Wrigley Field will make his 35th Major League appearance and start.
  • Will be his fourth career appearance and start vs the Cubs, his first this season, and his second career appearance at Wrigley Field.
  • Was the Reds’ scheduled pitcher for the game vs Cubs on 4/5 at Great American Ball Park, which was postponed by inclement weather and rescheduled as part of a day/night doubleheader on 9/1 (1:10, 6:40).
  • Produced a career-high 29.0-inning homerless streak between home runs by Oneil Cruz on 3/30 vs Pit and Elvis Andrus on 5/5 vs WSox.
  • Allowed 1 HR in his first 6 starts (28ip) and 7 HR in his last 4 starts (22ip).
  • This season has allowed 8 HR in 10 starts 50.0 innings…allowed 6 HR at Great American Ball Park and 2 HR at Coors Field…through the first 10 starts of his 2022 rookie season allowed 15 home runs.
  • Has been charged with a team-high 4 pitch timer violations, most recently on 5/10 vs NYM (Pete Alonso walked).
  • Was the Reds’ 2023 Opening Day starting pitcher.
  • At age 23 years, 236 days became the first pitcher age 25 or under to start for the Reds on Opening Day since 1980, when at age 22 years, 232 days RHP Frank Pastore beat Phil Niekro and the Braves, 9-0…courtesy @EliasSports.
  • Became the first second-year pitcher to start for the Reds on Opening Day since 26-year-old RHP Raisel Iglesias started the 6-2 win vs the Phillies in the 2016 season opener…courtesy @EliasSports.
  • On 4/18 signed a $53 million contract through the 2028 season that includes for 2029 a $21 million club option and $2 million buyout

CHICAGO CUBS NOTES:

Cubs vs. Reds
The Cubs and Reds play 13 games spanning four series … the teams played a weather-shortened two-game set in Cincinnati, April 3-4, splitting the series … following this series, the clubs meet here again for a four-game set, July 31-Aug. 3 … Chicago last season went 11-8 vs. the Reds, its first season series victory over Cincinnati since going 11-8 in 2018.

CUBS WELCOME ROB BUTCHER’S RED LEGS: The Chicago Cubs today play the first of three games against the Cincinnati Reds after taking two of three from the New York Mets to begin a nine-game homestand … Chicago last night fell to the Mets 10-1, but still secured its first series win since going 2-1 vs, the Marlins May 5-7 … the Cubs had been winless in their previous four series.

Following this three-game set against the Reds, the Cubs continue the homestand with three games against the Tampa Rays, including a Memorial Day matinee this Monday.

After the game on April 21, Chicago was 12-7 and 1.5 games behind the division lead … since, the club is 10-20 and enters today 4.5 games behind the division-leading Brewers, sitting at 27-23.

WRIGLEY FIELD AGREES WITH HIM: Justin Steele enters today’s tilt having allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last 17 starts at Wrigley Field dating to April 24 of last season … he’s posted a 2.20 ERA (23 ER/94.0 IP) with a 6-3 record in those 17 home starts, walking 34 and striking out 87 with just two homers allowed in 384 batters faced.

Overall this season, Steele enters tonight having not allowed a home run in his last 42.1 innings dating to the first inning April 19 in Oakland … that’s the fifth-longest active streak among N.L. pitchers.

Steele this season is 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA (13 ER/43.1 IP) in seven starts following a team loss.

RUMINATIONS REGARDING RUNS ALLOWED: Including last night’s 10-1 setback, the Cubs have allowed 10 or more runs in four of their last 11 games since May 13 after not doing so in the team’s first 38 contests to begin the season.

On the other side of the coin, Chicago this season has surrendered two or fewer runs in 21 games, tied for the third-most such games in the majors behind only Seattle (22) and Tampa Bay (22).

SUZUKI AT THE DISH: Seiya Suzuki has a .400 average (14-for-35) with a 1.004 OPS against left-handed pitching … Suzuki has hit .346 (18-for-52) with five doubles, five homers, 11 walks, a .453 OBP and a .731 slugging mark in his last 15 games since May 8.

Suzuki is hitting .300 (12-for-40) with three doubles, two homers and 15 RBI with runners in scoring position.

SOMETHING OF QUALITY: Marcus Stroman’s 8.0 innings with two runs allowed on Wednesday marked Chicago’s 24th quality start of the season, the second-most in the N.L. (Pittsburgh, 25) and tied for fifth-most in the majors.

The Cubs starting rotation has posted a 1.20 WHIP, seventh-best in the majors, while its 3.92 ERA (112 ER/257.2 IP) is fourth in the N.L. and ninth in baseball.

STINGY IN VICTORY: The Cubs have allowed two or fewer runs in 15 of their last 16 victories dating to April 14 … the lone win in that span in which Chicago allowed more than two runs came in a 10-4 win vs. the Cardinals on May 10.

PLAYING THE MARGINS: Chicago is 17-12 (.586) in games decided by three or more runs, the fourth-best record in the N.L. … however, the team is just 5-15 (.250) in games decided by two or fewer runs, the lowest winning percentage in the majors in those contests … that includes a 2-10 (.167) mark in one-run games.

ALL GOOD THINGS…: Christopher Morel was 0-for-4 last night to snap his career-high 14-game hitting streak dating to the final day of the 2022 season … Morel batted .345 (20-for-58) with three doubles, nine homers, 16 RBI and 17 runs scored during the run.

Morel recorded a hit and scored a run in each of his first 12 games this season, just the second time since 1901 a Cub has done that anytime in a single-season (Hank Sauer, 12 games in 1954).

Morel’s stretch of 12-straight games with a run scored was the second-longest in franchise history since 1900, joining Hank Sauer (13 games in 1954).

Morel recorded nine homers in first 12 games of the season, becoming one of just four players to accomplish that feat … he joined: Luis Gonzalez (9 HR in 2001), Larry Walker (9 HR in 1997) and Mike Schmidt (11 HR in 1976).

CROSSING THE PLATE: The Cubs have scored at least one run in each of their first 49 games in 2023, and in 59-straight games dating to Sept. 25 of last season … this 59- game run is the club’s longest since scoring in 70-consecutive contests from Aug. 12, 2021-May 4 of last year.

The team has scored in each of its first 49 games to start a season for the first time since way back in 1898, a season in which that team plated a run in each of its first 91 contests.

IN THE FIELD: Dansby Swanson has gone 32-straight games since April 20 without committing an error (108 TC) and his six defensive runs saved are tied for second-most among the major league shortstops, trailing only Tampa Bay’s Wander Franco (8), according to Fangraphs.

AT THE PLATE: The Cubs rank third in the majors in OBP (.338) and walks drawn (189), and are eighth in OPS (.764) and slugging (.426) … the team is ninth in average .260 (438-for-1,685).

Ian Happ’s .408 OBP is fifth in the N.L. and seventh in the majors … his 35 walks are tied for fourth-most in baseball.

Nico Hoerner’s .295 batting average is 10th in the N.L. while his 12 stolen bases are seventh in the Senior Circuit.

Starting Pitcher – #35 LHP Justin Steele (6-1, 2.20)
Last Time Out

Justin received a no-decision May 21 at Philadelphia, tossing 6.0 innings and allowing zero runs while striking out six batters … was his second start of 2023 throwing 6.0 innings or more while allowing zero runs (also April 1 vs. Milwaukee) … recorded his eighth quality start of 2023, tied for second-most in the majors … has completed at least 6.0 innings in nine of his 10 starts in 2023.

Date Opp. Result IP H R ER BB SO PC-S Left
5/121 @PHI L, 1-2 6.0 4 0 0 1 6 94-64 0-0
2023 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 4-0 1.48 5 5 30.1 23 5 5 10 23
Road 2-1 2.90 5 5 31.0 23 12 10 6 30
AVG vs. LHB: .226 (12-for-53) / AVG vs. RHB: .207 (34-for-164)

Justin is making his 11th start of the 2023 season today and his sixth at Wrigley Field … has posted a 1.74 ERA (19 ER/98.0 IP) since July 22, 2022, the lowest ERA in the majors during the run by 32 points (min. 17 GS) … his 2.20 ERA in 2023 is the third-lowest in N.L. and sixth-lowest the majors among qualified pitchers, while his .212 opponent average (46-for-217) is the sixth-lowest in the N.L. … has a 2.39 ERA (27 ER/101.2 IP) in 19 starts at Wrigley Field since the beginning of the 2022 season … is one of three N.L. pitchers with at least six wins … opposing batters are hitting .181 (13-for-72) with 25 strikeouts off his slider.

Went eight starts before suffering his first loss of the season May 16 in Houston … allowed a season-high five runs in the outing … at the time of his first loss, was the only pitcher in the N.L. with at least six wins and zero losses.

Allowed two or fewer earned runs in 14-straight starts from July 22, 2022-May 5, 2023, tied for the second-longest stretch in Cubs franchise history (since 1901), behind Jack Taylor’s streak of 15 games June 13-Aug. 14, 1902 (tied with Jake Arrieta, 14 G, 7/30/15-4/4/16).

Went 1-1 with a 2.63 ERA (4 ER/13.2 IP) with 13 strikeouts in four Cactus League starts in 2023 … started and tossed the first 2.0 innings of the Cubs combined no-hitter, March 3 at San Diego.

Boxing Preview: Mauricio Lara (26-2-1, 19 Kos) vs Leigh Wood (26-2, 16 KOs)

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Boxing Preview: Mauricio Lara (26-2-1, 19 Kos) vs Leigh Wood (26-2, 16 KOs)

Featherweight rivals run it back in Manchester on May 27 – Tickets for Mauricio Lara’s WBA Featherweight World Title rematch with Leigh Wood at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday May 27, shown live worldwide on DAZN, will go on sale this week.

Mexico’s Lara (26-2-1, 19 KOs) captured the WBA World Title by knocking Wood (26-2, 16 KOs) down in the seventh round with a stunning left hook at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham. The former champion rose to his feet but Ben Davison threw in the towel to save his fighter from further damage.

LARA VS. WOOD 2 FIGHT DATE, START TIME
Date : Saturday, May 27
Time : 7 p.m. GMT / 2 p.m. ET
The card will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe
Main event ringwalks (approx): 10:00 p.m. GMT / 5:00 p.m. ET
The fight will take place at the AO Arena in Manchester, England
The event is set to get underway at 7 p.m. GMT / 2 p.m. ET with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 10:00 p.m. GMT / 5:00 p.m. ET.

‘Leigh-thal’, who was ahead on all three judges scorecards at the time of the stoppage, gets an immediate shot at redemption against ‘Bronco’ – one of the most feared punchers in world boxing – at the top of a stacked card that features former World Title challenger Jack Catterall (26-1, 13 KOs) making his Matchroom debut against Darragh Foley (22-4-1, 10 KOs) and Danny Ball (12-1-1, 5 KOs) taking on Anthony Tomlinson (15-1, 7 KOs) for the vacant English Welterweight Title, with more fights to be announced soon.

MAURICIO LARA – LEIGH WOOD 2 FIGHT CARD
Mauricio Lara vs. Leigh Wood 2; For Lara’s WBA world featherweight title
Jack Catterall vs. Darragh Foley
Terri Harper vs. Ivana Habazin for WBA women’s super-welterweight title
Danny Ball vs. Jamie Robinson for English welterweight title
Aqib Fiaz vs. Costin Ion
Campbell Hatton vs. Michal Bulak

Boxing Preview: Alexis “Lex” Rocha (22-1, 14 KOs) vs Anthony “Juice” Young (24-2, 8 KOs)

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Boxing Preview: Alexis “Lex” Rocha (22-1, 14 KOs) vs Anthony “Juice” Young (24-2, 8 KOs)

Returning to the fight stage as a headliner for the second time of 2023, Alexis “Lex” Rocha (22-1, 14 KOs) will defend his NABO Welterweight title for the third time against Anthony “Juice” Young (24-2, 8 KOs). The 12-round welterweight fight, which was originally scheduled for last January, will take place at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN beginning at 5:00 p.m. PT / 8:00 p.m. ET.

“I’m back in the ring on May 27 and I’m looking forward to staying busy,” said Alexis Rocha. “I can’t wait to put on another great performance for all those in Southern California who make the trip to Fantasy Springs, but also for all of my fans who tune in on DAZN. Anthony Young is familiar to me because I was preparing to face him in my last fight before he was injured. I’ll be ready for this fight and my focus is to end this early with another big knockout for my fans.”

“I’m just thankful for the opportunity to perform on this platform,” said Anthony Young. “With the strength of Allah we are going to shock the world twice!”

“As he showed last time out, Rocha is an absolute beast who is more than deserving of a title shot in the welterweight division,’ said Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya. “But Anthony Young is the real deal who has knocked off a Golden Boy fighter in the past. Rocha needs to use his power to get rid of Young early and move on to the next step of his career.”

Hailing from Santa Ana, California, Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a respected fight family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at 14-years-old in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world as he continued on to become a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made an electrifying professional debut in March 2016, knocking out Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. His only career blemish is an unanimous decision loss in October 2021 against Rashidi Ellis, in which he confidently came back with six consecutive wins. Rocha locked in the NABO Welterweight title in an unanimous decision victory against Argentinian Luis Alberto Veron in July 2022 on the undercard of Ryan Garcia vs. Javier Fortuna, which he has successfully defended against Jesus “Ricky” Perez in October 2022 and George Ashie in January 2023.

Anthony “Juice” Young represents Atlantic City, New Jersey. He made his professional debut at 23-years-old on October 28, 2011 against Kywayne Hill, winning by unanimous decision. With only two blemishes on his early career resume, he has had a string of wins, including a stunning upset of former WBO junior middleweight champion Sadam Ali via third-round knockout on the May 2019 Alvarez vs. Jacobs undercard in Las Vegas. Since then, he has fought victoriously three times, the last being a unanimous decision win over Jose Zaragoza in October 2022.

Boxing Preview: Luis Alberto Lopez (27-2, 15 KOs) vs Michael Conlan (18-1, 9 KOs)

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Boxing Preview: Luis Alberto Lopez (27-2, 15 KOs) vs Michael Conlan (18-1, 9 KOs)

Luis Alberto Lopez to Defend Featherweight Crown Against Hometown Hero Michael Conlan at The SSE Arena Belfast LIVE on ESPN+

Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez may have to start calling himself “The Road Warrior.” Lopez will make the first defense of his IBF featherweight world title against Michael “Mick” Conlan on Saturday, May 27, at The SSE Arena in Conlan’s hometown of Belfast.

Lopez captured the title last December, venturing to Josh Warrington’s home base of Leeds, England, to grind out a majority decision.

“The passionate Belfast fans will pack The SSE Arena hoping to lift their hero, Michael Conlan, to a world title. I also know that Luis Alberto Lopez thrives in enemy territory and will not relinquish his title without a tremendous fight,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.

“Belfast hasn’t had a big world title fight in six years. Michael’s fans have traveled far and wide throughout his career and now they get to create the cauldron-like atmosphere that the SSE Arena is known for in the biggest fight of his career. Luis Alberto Lopez is a very dangerous fighter and a fantastic champion that has a reputation of going to the enemy’s backyard and upsetting the apple cart, so we are in for a barnburner on May 27,” said Conlan Boxing CEO Jamie Conlan.

Lopez (27-2, 15 KOs), from Mexicali, Mexico, navigated bumpy terrain to become a world champion. After early-career defeats to Abraham Montoya and Ruben Villa stunted his momentum, Lopez thrilled American fight fans with his July 2020 split decision victory over Andy Vences inside the MGM Grand Bubble. Fourteen months later, he dominated then-unbeaten junior lightweight prospect Gabriel Flores Jr. over 10 rounds. Lopez then moved down to featherweight and stopped another undefeated foe, Isaac Lowe, in seven rounds at London’s York Hall. After two stay-busy wins, he received his shot at the title, turning an expected triumphant Leeds homecoming into disappointment for the partisan fans.

“I am a road warrior. Traveling to my opponent’s home country doesn’t faze me,” Lopez said. “I won my world title in Leeds, and now it’s time to defend it in Belfast. The louder they cheer for Michael, the harder I will fight. The IBF title will remain in Mexico. May 27 will be a special night for me, and Michael’s fans will go home disappointed.”

Conlan (18-1, 9 KOs) turned pro in 2017 after a decorated Irish amateur career that included two Olympic berths, an Olympic bronze medal, and gold medals at the World Championships, European Championships, and Commonwealth Games. His double middle finger salute to the judges at the 2016 Rio Olympics turned him into a fighting folk hero, and as a pro, he has proven himself on the world stage. Last March, he nearly captured the WBA featherweight crown from Leigh Wood in Wood’s hometown of Nottingham, England. Conlan, ahead on all three scorecards, was knocked out in the 12th round of ESPN’s Fight of the Year. The Wood disappointment did not linger, as Conlan came back later that year with victories over Miguel Marriaga and Karim Guerfi at The SSE Arena. Five months after knocking out Guerfi in one round, Conlan returns to the friendly SSE Arena confines, prepared to seize his championship moment.

“This is a massive opportunity. Fighting for the world title in Belfast is something I’ve always dreamed of, and I will be taking this opportunity with both hands.” Conlan said. “The SSE Arena will be buzzing, and I will do everything I can to bring a world title home. Credit to Lopez for coming to Belfast, but I am taking his title. He is not prepared for what is coming his way on May 27. Ireland will see a new champion crowned.”

Boxing Preview: Lawrence ‘The Sauce’ Okolie (19-0, 14 KO’s) vs Chris ‘The Gentleman’ Billam-Smith (17-1, 12 KO’s)

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Boxing Preview: Lawrence ‘The Sauce’ Okolie (19-0, 14 KO’s) vs Chris ‘The Gentleman’ Billam-Smith (17-1, 12 KO’s)

A seismic showdown on the south coast seafront is set for Saturday, May 27, when cruiserweight rivals Lawrence ‘The Sauce’ Okolie (19-0, 14 KO’s) and Chris ‘The Gentleman’ Billam-Smith (17-1, 12 KO’s) will square off in a world championship title clash, live and exclusively in the UK & Republic of Ireland on Sky Sports.

Londoner Okolie has held the WBO World Cruiserweight Championship since his March 2021 stoppage win over Krzysztof Głowacki. Since then he has made three successful defences – most recently handing New Zealand champion David Light the first loss of his professional career in last month’s Manchester encounter.

During his reign, Okolie has watched as a band of bonafide cruiserweight contenders has emerged, all of whom are signed to the BOXXER stable and compete exclusively on Sky Sports: Bournemouth’s Billam-Smith and London’s Richard Riakporhe and Mikael Lawal are all homegrown talents who have their eyes on his crown.

Training under Shane McGuigan – several times ‘Boxing Trainer of the Year’ among numerous sports publications – Billam-Smith has climbed the ranks steadily, winning first the Commonwealth Cruiserweight Championship and then the European Cruiserweight Championship to build a solid platform for this world title shot.

And his army of fans now extends well outside of his beloved Bournemouth thanks to his all-action fighting style: his clash with Isaac Chamberlain in July last year was hailed as a ‘Fight of the Year’ contender at the British Boxing Board of Control Annual Awards and became an instant classic for fight fans across the country and around the world.

But Billam-Smith, who has fought in front of two sold-out crowds already in Bournemouth, will need more than sheer force to take the world title from Okolie, one of the most scientific boxers the cruiserweight division has ever seen. Okolie’s precise, measured fighting style and watertight defence has kept him undefeated – and the belt around his waist.

“I’m pumped, I’m ready to go. I’ve just come off a successful defence where I won all 12 rounds against an unknown but tough competitor, a national champion in his homeland. Now weeks later I am going in against a known tough boxer, the highly-ranked former European champion and current Commonwealth champion Chris Billam-Smith,” said Okolie.

“Not many fighters make back to back defences in such a short space of time. Not many pick the hardest fights available to them, but that’s what I’m about. Chris – I love you, but I have to get the KO in this one.”

Billam-Smith commented, “Fighting someone I know well for a world title is a very exciting opportunity. I’m elated to be fighting at the home of my beloved AFC Bournemouth in front of my phenomenal fans and on May 27th I will repay them by winning a world title.” BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said, “I’m not exaggerating in the slightest when I say that this is going to be one of the best events of the year. If you were lucky enough to get a ticket for the previous Bournemouth events, you’ll know the fans and the atmosphere are off the charts.

“For Chris Billam-Smith this is a dream come true. To fight for the world title in his hometown, in his football team’s stadium, in front of a sold-out crowd cheering him on…it’s the stuff dreams are made of.

“But Lawrence Okolie is a fighting champion. He had no hesitation in taking the fight in Bournemouth. He’s ice cold. He is undefeated. And he’s certainly not bothered about the crowd being against him. In fact that just sweetens the deal for him.

“With a stacked card, this will be the event to kick-off an incredible summer for British boxing.”

Lawal (17-0, 11 KO’s) and Chamberlain (14-2, 8 KO’s) are also confirmed for the May 27th card, with British champion Lawal defending his title in what is sure to be a thrilling encounter.

Chamberlain’s previous ‘Fight of the Year’ visit to Bournemouth has endeared him to local fans and may make him an honorary local fighter for this title fight against the undefeated Lawal.

MLS Preview: Austin FC (4-5-4) at Houston Dynamo FC (4-5-3)

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MLS Preview: Austin FC (4-5-4) at Houston Dynamo FC (4-5-3)

The Houston Dynamo FC defeated Austin FC, 2-0, at home on march 18 on goals from Amine Bassi and Hector Herrera in the final 20 minutes, the fifth win for the home team in six all-time meetings between the sides. The only road win in the history of the series was a 2-1 victory for Austin FC in Houston in April 2022.

The Houston Dynamo FC are winless in four straight league games (D2 L2) after winning four of their previous six (D1 L1). Houston Dynamo FC has not scored or conceded more than one goal in any of its last six league games, totaling three goal scored and four goals conceded.

Austin FC has won back-to-back matches after an eight-match winless run in league play. Austin FC has two winning streaks of three or more games in the club’s MLS history (two 4-game streaks) with each of those runs including wins over the Houston Dynamo FC.

The Houston Dynamo FC conceded at home for the first time in the 87th minute of their sixth hoe match of the season, falling one minute short of the MLS record for the longest home shutout streak to begin a season. Only the Colorado Rapids in 2022 and Columbus Crew SC in 2020 allowed one goal in their first seven home games of a season.

Gyasi Zardes’ stoppage time winner for Austin FC against the Toronto FC Reds on Saturday was his 99th regular-season MLS goal in his280th appearance. Of the 12 players with 100 MLS goals, only Kei Kamara(288), Edson Buddle (289) and Dwayne De Rosario (298) took more than 280 games to reach the milestone.

MLS Preview: D. C. United (5-5-4) at Toronto FC (2-5-7)

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MLS Preview: D. C. United (5-5-4) at Toronto FC (2-5-7)

D. C. United scored two late goals to beat Toronto FC, 3-2, at home in the opening match of the season in February. D. C. United has won three of its five matches against Toronto FC since 20201 (D1 L1) after winning just two of the previous 14 meetings, including playoffs, dating back to 2015 (D7 L5).

Toronto FC has lost four of its last six league games (W1 L1) following a seven-match unbeaten run earlier in the season (W1 D6). Toronto FC Reds have lost 41 regular-season games since the start of the 2021 season, tied with D. C. United for the most in MLS in that time.

D. C. United has lost only one of its last seven league games following a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday. D. C. United has collected 14 points over that time (W4 D2), tied with the Philadelphia Union and Nashville SC for the most in MLS since the run began in mid-April.

Toronto Fc has failed to score in four consecutive MLS matches for the first time time August-September 2010. The Toronto FC Reds have had just one longer streak in club history, going an MLS-record nine straight games without a goal in July-September 2007.

D. C. united has won 11 of 17 aerial duels (64.7%) in its win over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday. D. C. United has won 62.7 percent of its aerial duels this season, over seven percent more than any other MLS team (Atlanta United FC – 55.1%). No team since 2010 has completed a full season winning 60%of its aerial duels.

MLS Preview: Atlanta United FC (6-4-4) at Orlando City SC (5-4-4)

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MLS Preview: Atlanta United FC (6-4-4) at Orlando City SC (5-4-4)

Atlanta United FC has lost only three of its 18 all-time meetings with Orlando City SC (W9 D6) in all competitions but has managed just two wins in the last nine encounters (D4 L3). After winning its first five away matches against the Lions, Atlanta United FC has won just one of its last five trips to Exploria Stadium ((D2 L2).

Orlando City SC has won only one of its last seven home matches in all competitions (D3 L3) after winning six of its previous seven at Exploria Stadium (l1). Orlando City SC has taken more points on the road (11) than at home (8) this season, one of four MLS teams to do so (Colorado Rapids, Minnesota United FC and Sporting Kansas City).

Atlanta United FC conceded n 89th-minute equalizer against the Chicago Fire on Saturday in a 3-3 draw and now has won just two of its last 23 road games in all competitions dating back to April 2022. Atlanta United FC hasn’t won any of its last six away matches in league play (D3 L3) despite leading in three of those.

Ercan Kara scored the first of Orlando City SC’s three goals in its win over Inter Miami FC on Saturday, his third straight MLS match with a goal. Only three players in Orlando City SC’s MLS history have scored in four straight games in a single season; Daryl Dike (2x) and Nani and Dom Dwyer.

Giorgos Giakoumakis has scored in each of his last three away MLS matches, including against the Chicago Fire on Saturday. Only one player since the start of last season has scored in four straight road games in MLS play; Paul Arriola for FC Dallas in May – June 2022.

NWSL Match Preview: NJ/NY Gotham FC (5-2-1) at Washington Spirit (4-1-3)

NWSL Editor
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NWSL Match Preview: NJ/NY Gotham FC (5-2-1) at Washington Spirit (4-1-3)

Audi Field | Washington, District of Columbia – Sunday, May 28 at 5:00 PM ET

Players to watch:

Washington defender Sam Staab scored the Spirit’s lone goal in their 2-1 defeat to Orlando on Saturday, her first regular season goal of the year and second overall. This is also the first time she’s scored twice in a calendar year. All six of Staab’s career goals have come off set pieces, including four off corners. Staab is one of five goalscorers for Washington this year, with forward Ashley Hatch leading the way with five goals and fellow attacker Trinity Rodman just behind her with three goals. 

Gotham forward Lynn Williams has been on an absolute tear as of late, scoring a goal in seven of her last 10 appearances in all NWSL competitions including in the club’s 4-1 win at OL Reign on Sunday. Williams has scored in 59 different matches in her NWSL career (all competitions), tied with Christine Sinclair and Sam Kerr for most in league history.

Match facts: The Washington Spirit look to bounce back from their first loss of the season last week as they host NJ/NY Gotham FC at Audi Field on Sunday to close out a full slate around the league across the weekend. Washington currently sits in 3rd place on 15 points (W4 D3 L1), equal with Portland and San Diego on points but behind the others on goal differential. Meanwhile, Gotham sits proudly in 1st place with 16 points (W5 D1 L2), a position the club took after last week’s win against the Reign.

Washington’s first league defeat of the season came last weekend in the form of a 2-1 road loss against Orlando. The Spirit remain unbeaten through three home matches this regular season (W2 D1) and have won five of their last seven home matches in all competitions (D1 L1) dating back to last September.

Gotham sits deservedly atop the league table on 16 points after eight matches, three more than they totaled during the entire 2022 season. Gotham has won four of its first five regular season road matches this year, the fifth team in NWSL history to win four of its first five on the road and first since the Courage in 2018 (5).

Gotham has lost only three of its 11 meetings with the Spirit in all competitions since 2020 (W4 D4) after losing eight of the previous 10 meetings from late 2016 through 2019. That includes a 1-0 win in a Challenge Cup match in April as Gotham hasn’t won consecutive matches against Washington since 2016. 

NWSL Match Preview: Orlando Pride (3-4-1) at Chicago Red Stars (1-6-1)

NWSL Editor
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NWSL Match Preview: Orlando Pride (3-4-1) at Chicago Red Stars (1-6-1)

SeatGeek Stadium | Bridgeview, Illinois – Saturday, May 27 at 8:00 PM ET

Players to watch:

Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher has been plenty active for her side in 2023, currently sitting second in the league in saves (32) behind Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund. However, Naeher’s 2.75 GAA is tied for the highest in the league alongside Kansas City goalkeeper AD Franch, but Franch has played half the games (4) that Naeher has with Chicago allowing 22 goals in 8 games compared to Kansas City’s 11 allowed in Franch’s 4 games played. Chicago’s 22 goals allowed are three more than any other team at this stage of a season in NWSL history, too. The Red Stars have conceded at least three goals four times already, having done so more in a full regular season only once (6 in 2013).

Orlando attacker Adriana recorded a team-high four chances created in Orlando’s win over Washington on Saturday and now has 21 chances created on the season, the most in NWSL. Of those 21, nine have been off corners, also the most chances created off corners in the league this year. However, forward Messiah Brightleads the team in scoring with two goals, with five other goalscorers—including Adriana—sitting behind her with one each.

Match facts: The Chicago Red Stars look to turn things around on Saturday night when they host the Orlando Pride at SeatGeek Stadium, with Chicago looking to get off the bottom of the table with a good result while the Pride aim to continue their recent climb in the league. Chicago currently sits in 12th place with 4 points (W1 D1 L6) while Orlando sits in 8th place with 10 points (W3 D1 L4).

The Red Stars are off to the worst start in club history, collecting just those four points from eight games, half of the previous record low of eight (2013, 2021). In addition, Chicago has now suffered four straight defeats in all competitions for the first time in club history. In their three game losing streak, the Red Stars have scored just one goal, getting shut out against Portland and Louisville in successive road matches. At home this year, Chicago has won one, drawn one, and lost two.

Orlando is unbeaten in four straight league matches, winning three of them (D1), after opening the season with four straight defeats. A complete turnaround, the Pride have allowed only two goals over that four game stretch, the fewest they’ve allowed over a four-match span in five years, since April-May 2018. Part of that is due to the play of goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, who clears the league in saves per game played (5.13) ahead of Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund (4.38).

The Red Stars have won four straight meetings with Orlando, including winning both matches last season. Chicago has recorded a five-match regular season winning streak against a single opponent only once in team history, doing so against the Boston Breakers from 2013-15.

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