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Michael Dutchover wins unanimous decision in 2021 debut

Philadelphia, PA – Lightweight prospect, Michael “The West Texas Warrior” Dutchover (15-1, 10 KOs), won a hard-fought unanimous decision against a game, Ivan Leon Benitez (14-5-1, 6 KOs) at the Omega Products International in Corona, California. Dutchover, who is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing, outworked Benitez in every round but had to fend off the constant attack he was facing throughout the entire fight. Dutchover showed he has the skillset to box and fight on the inside when things got rough. Benitez showed a lot of heart, but never was in control of the fight. Scorecards read 80-72 twice and 78-74

“This was my first fight in almost a year, and I felt I had some rust to shake off, but overall, I’m happy with my performance,” said Dutchover. “Benitez came to fight as I expected, and I did what I had to do to get the win. Now its time to get right back in the ring and finish of the rest of this year with some good wins. I have a big fight coming up in September back in my home state of Texas that I’m looking forward too. I’ll be ready to go.”

NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – Monday, June 7, 2021

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THREE HARD LAPS

* After becoming the 16th and final team to clinch a spot in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Canadiens can become the first to advance to the Stanley Cup Semifinals with a victory tonight.

Jonathan Marchessault scored the third-ever playoff hat trick by a Golden Knights player as Vegas won consecutive contests on home ice and guaranteed a Game 6 against the Presidents’ Trophy winners.

* The Bruins and Islanders are set to clash at TD Garden tonight. When a best-of-seven series is tied 2-2, the winner of Game 5 holds an all-time record of 215-58 (.788).

CANADIENS WIN AND INCH CLOSER TO STANLEY CUP SEMIFINALS
With legendary Canadiens Stanley Cup winners Guy LafleurYvan Cournoyer and Rejean Houle in attendance, Montreal produced a five-goal output to move within one win of the Stanley Cup Semifinals. The Canadiens, whose six-game win streak is the franchise’s longest in a playoff year since an 11-game run during their Stanley Cup-winning season in 1993, have not trailed in 376:14 of game time.

Joel Armia (2-13), who accounted for two of Montreal’s five goals with a pair of shorthanded markers, became the second Canadiens player in as many games to score a shorthanded goal (Tyler Toffoli: Game 2). The 2021 Second Round marks just the fourth time the club has scored at least one shorthanded goal in consecutive playoff games (also Game 3 & 4 of 1991 DF; Game 2 & 3 of 1968 SCF; Game 3 & 4 of 1955 SF).

* Armia’s second tally of the contest, into an empty net, was Montreal’s fourth shorthanded goal of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In the process, the Canadiens forward became the NHL’s first player to score multiple shorthanded tallies in a playoff game since Los Angeles’ Dustin Brown in Game 2 of the 2012 Conference Quarterfinals.

* Toffoli extended the League’s longest active point streak to five games in the effort (also Max Pacioretty: 5 GP w/ VGK). Only two players in franchise history have recorded a longer playoff point streak while appearing in their first season with the club: Michael Cammalleri (6 GP in 2010) and Howie Morenz (6 GP in 1924).

* A quick turnaround will have the Canadiens and Jets square off for Game 4 tonight. Montreal, which owns an all-time record of 33-0 when leading 3-0 in a best-of-seven series, has recorded an NHL-record 22 sweeps in that scenario.

MARCHESSAULT’S HAT TRICK HELPS GOLDEN KNIGHTS PULL EVEN
Jonathan Marchessault 
(3-0—3) scored his first-ever postseason hat trick and third by a Golden Knights player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs as Vegas drew even in its Second Round series with the Presidents’ Trophy winners.

Marchessault (20-24—44 in 58 GP), who joined Mattias Janmark (Game 7 of 2021 R1 vs. MIN) and Mark Stone (Game 3 of 2019 R1 vs. SJS) as the only Golden Knights players to record a three-goal performance in the postseason, became the first player to score 20 playoff goals with the franchise.

* After falling behind in a best-of-seven series 2-0 for the first time, the Golden Knights earned consecutive home wins to draw even at two games apiece. Vegas improved its all-time playoff home record to 20-10 and have recorded the most home wins by any team in the postseason since entering the NHL in 2017-18.

* As the series shifts back to Colorado, the Golden Knights have their sights set on becoming just the fourth team in NHL history to win a best-of-seven series against the League’s top-seeded club after dropping the first two games. Chicago achieved the feat twice (1962 SF vs. MTL & 1965 SF vs. DET), while Boston stands as the only team to do so against the Presidents’ Trophy winners (2011 SCF vs. VAN).

ISLANDERSBRUINS EYE SERIES LEAD IN GAME 5 SHOWDOWN
David Pastrnak and the Bruins will host Kyle Palmieri and the Islanders for Game 5 of their Second Round showdown after New York rallied to even the series on Saturday.

* After a four-goal performance in their last outing, the Islanders have boosted their offense in the postseason and are averaging 0.50 goals per game more in the playoffs (3.20 G/GP; 3rd) versus the regular season (2.71; 21st) – including six of 10 games in which they scored four or more goals.

* Palmieri leads the Islanders with five goals this postseason (5-2—7 in 10 GP) after he found the back of the net in Game 4. Only four Islanders players in the last 30 years have scored more through their first 10 games of a playoff year than Palmieri: Anthony Beauvillier (6 in 2020), John Tavares (6 in 2016), Ray Ferraro (11 in 1993) and Pierre Turgeon (6 in 1993).

Pastrnak leads all Bruins players with 11 points during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs (5-6—11 in 9 GP) and has collected 25-39—64 in his postseason career (61 GP). Pastrnak can become just the fifth active player to record 40 playoff assists in 62 career contests or fewer, in which he would join Sidney Crosby (50 GP), Evgeni Malkin (54 GP), Erik Karlsson (55 GP) and Jason Spezza (62 GP).

Devar Ferhadi and Genc Pllana Win Respective Main Events at King’s Promotions Day-Night Doubleheader in Philadelphia

Ferhadi Decisions Blake Mansfield in Afternoon Feature; Pllana stops Brandon Robinson in 8

PHILADELPHIA – Super Middleweight’s Devar Ferhadi and Genc Pllana shined in their respective main events as part of a day-night doubleheader at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

The shows, which were promoted by King’s Promotions, played to capacity crowds and provided tremendous action for those in attendance and watching around the world on BXNGTV.com

In the evening main event, Genc Pllana stopped hometown favorite Brandon Robinson in the eighth and final round of their super middleweight clash that headlined the evening session of a King’s Promotions day-night doubleheader at the 2300 Arena.

It was a spirited bout throughout the contest that saw Pllana forge ahead on the strength of a jab that he followed up by flurries of scoring blows that weren’t impactful, but more of controlling shots. Robinson created some offense of his own against the awkward Pllana. In the later rounds, it seemed that Pllana was wearing Robinson, and in round eight he cracked Robinson with a hard right hand in the corner that put Robinson down, and the fight was stopped at 33 seconds.

Pllana of Hagerstown, MD is 9-3-1 with five knockouts. Robinson of Philadelphia is 15-3.

In a battle of undefeated lightweights, James Bernadin took a six-round unanimous decision over Osvaldo Morales.

Bernadin of Lancaster, PA won by scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56 and is now 4-0-1. Morales of Harrisburg is 4-1.

Fan-favorite Elijah Morales won a four-round unanimous decision over Andres Abarco in a welterweight fight.

Morales of Trenton, NJ won by scores of 40-36 on all cards and is now 8-0, Abarco of Normandy Park, WA is 2-5.

Jonathan Rodriguez won a four-round unanimous decision over Sebastian Baltazar in a bantamweight contest.

Rodriguez of Bethlehem, PA won by scores twice and 39-37 and is now 9-1. Baltazar if Tacoma, WA is 1-5.

Rafiq Muhammad remained undefeated by stopping Rasheed Johnson in round four of their scheduled six-round welterweight fight.

In round four, Muhammad dropped Johnson with a hard right hand in the corner. Johnson was hurt, yet tried to fight back, but caught again and was driven into the ropes where he ate several more flush shots and the fight was stopped at 2:40

Muhammad of Richmond, VA is 5-0 with three knockouts. Johnson of Philadelphia is 7-4.

Khainell Wheeler stopped Vincent Baccus in round one of their scheduled six-round super middleweight clash.

In round one. Wheeler dropped Baccus with an uppercut. Seconds later it was a counter right that hurt Baccus and backed him into the ropes that was followed up by a right that sent Baccus down and the fight was stopped at 2:46.

Wheeler of Bethlehem, PA is 5-1 with five knockouts. Baccus of Okmulgee, OK is 4-3-1.

Roudly Lolo stopped debuting Eric Monroe in the opening round of their scheduled four-round middleweight fight.

They came out and set a furious pace as they landed some hard shots until one blasted off of the head of Monroe that sent the first-time to the canvas. Lolo landed a flurry of punches that sent Monroe plummeting down, and the fight was stopped at 1:43.

Lolo of Harrisburg, PA is 1-0-1 with one knockout. Monroe of Philadelphia is 0-1.

 

Devar Ferhadi won an eight-round unanimous decision in a battle of super middleweights that headlined the King’s Promotions matinee portion of a day-night doubleheader at the 2300 Arena.

Ferhadi of Frederick, Maryland, won by scores of 80-72 and 79-73 twice to raise his perfect mark to 9-0. Mansfield, of Burlington, NC is 7-4-1.

Andrew Rodgers scored an upset as he took a six-round unanimous decision over Greg Outlaw in a junior welterweight fight.

The fight was hotly contested throughout with Rodgers getting inside on the longer Outlaw. In round five,, the pressure of Rodgers forced a knockdown.

That was the difference in the fight as Rodgers won by scores of 58-55 twice and 57-56 to improve to 5-9. Outlaw of Bowie, MD is 8-1.

Joseph Jackson remained undefeated with an opening round stoppage over Terrance Williams in a junior middleweight bout.

Jackson landed a perfect left hook to the body that sent Williams down for the 10-count at 2:42.

Jackson of Greensboro, NC is 17-0 with 13 knockouts. Williams of Harrisburg, PA is 5-5-1.

Christian Bermudez remained undefeated with a 47 second stoppage over Lawrence Mertagh in a junior welterweight bout.

Bermudez of Brooklyn is 4-0 with three knockouts. Mertagh of Brooklyn was making his pro debut.

Kashon Hutchinson stopped previously undefeated Edgar Torres 46 seconds into round one of their scheduled six-round welterweight bout.

In round one, Hutchinson dropped Torres with a flurry of head shots. Hutchinson followed up with a some flush power shots, and the fight was stopped after a perfect left to the head that rocked Torres at 46 seconds.

Hutchinson of Reading, PA is 8-5 with two knockouts. Torres of Springfield, VA is 8-1-1.

Quadir Albright stopped Isaac Hayne in the opening round of a battle of pro debuting junior welterweights.

Albright landed a leaping right that sent Haynes down and the fight was stopped 65 seconds into the contest.

Albright of Philadelphia is 1-0 with one knockout. Haynes of Albany, NY is 0-1.

Boston Bruins’ Krejci Fined for Slashing

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NEW YORK — Boston Bruins forward David Krejci been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for slashing New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal during Game 4 of the teams’ Second Round series in New York on Saturday, June 5, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

 

The incident occurred at 11:13 of the second period. Krejci was assessed a minor penalty for slashing.

 

The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Twins recall Bailey Ober

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Shaun Anderson placed on 10-day injured list

KANSAS CITY, MO – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have recalled right-handed pitcher Bailey Ober from Triple-A St. Paul.

Ober has made four starts for the Saints this season, going 1-0 with a 2.81 ERA (16.0 IP, 5 ER), five walks, 21 strikeouts and no home runs allowed. The 25-year-old, who will be making his second stint with the Twins, made his major league debut in a start on May 18 vs. the Chicago White Sox, allowing four runs on five hits in 4.0 innings pitched, with one walk and four strikeouts in a Twins 5-4 victory. Ober is scheduled to start against the Kansas City Royals this afternoon.

To make room on the 26-man roster, the Twins have placed right-handed pitcher Shaun Anderson on the 10-day Injured List with finger blisters on his right hand (retroactive to June 5). Anderson appeared in four games for the Twins this season, posting a 9.35 ERA (8.2 IP, 9 ER) with 13 hits allowed, five walks and eight strikeouts.

White Sox place Billy Hamilton on injured list; reinstate Adam Engel from injured list

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CHICAGO — Prior to today’s game vs. Detroit, the Chicago White Sox placed outfielder Billy Hamilton on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain and returned outfielder Adam Engel from his rehabilitation assignment at Class AAA Charlotte and reinstated him from the 10-day injured list.

Twins select contract of Griffin Jax

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Juan Minaya designated for release or assignment

KANSAS CITY, MO – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Griffin Jax from Triple-A St. Paul.

Jax, 26, has made five starts for the Saints, going 3-1 with a 3.33 ERA (27.0 IP, 10 ER), 10 walks, 29 strikeouts, no home runs allowed and a 1.33 WHIP. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound pitcher was drafted by the Twins in the third round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of the United States Air Force Academy. Over five seasons in the Twins minor league system, he has gone 13-15 with a 3.20 ERA (281.2 IP, 100 ER), 60 walks and 217 strikeouts in 52 games (47 starts). He spent the 2020 season at the alternate training site in St. Paul and was named as having the best control in the Twins’ system by Baseball America in 2019. When he debuts, Jax will become the first graduate of the Air Force Academy to be drafted and play in the majors. He will be in uniform for today’s game in Kansas City and will wear number 83.

To make room for Jax on the 26-man roster, the Twins have designated right-handed pitcher Juan Minaya for release or assignment. Minaya, who was added to the roster on May 29, appeared in four games, posting a 4.26 ERA (6.1 IP, 3 ER) with three walks and four strikeouts.

The Unnatural Return of JD “The Natural” Chapman

Fort Smith, Arkansas – In a year of surprising boxing returns, nothing is more surprising than the return of retired heavyweight contender JD “The Natural” Chapman (29-0).

Born John David Chapman in March of 1983, Chapman did not fight as an amateur. Instead, he started fighting in Toughman Contest competitions before he turned pro in 2002. He chose the name “The Natural” as Chapman hails from Arkansas, “The Natural State”.

JD did many of his early professional fights close to home, namely as part of the Slugout Series promoted by Stacy “Goodnight” Goodson. Goodson and Scott Hirsch, who were managing Chapman, built Chapman into a heavyweight contender.

In the process, Chapaman accumulated 29 wins and 26 knockouts. He beat several notable contenders and gatekeepers. His most notable opponents were Chicago-based Edward Gutierrez who was 15-0-1 coming into the bout, New York veteran John Carlo who possessed a 14-1 record, and fellow undefeated Mid-West prospect Matt Hicks 7-0.

Chapman also captured several regional heavyweight titles including the IBF Southern Regional title, the North American Boxing Council title, the WBC Latino title and the Arkansas State title. Just when it seemed that Chapman was at the cusp of stardom, he hung it all up and rode into the sunset.

At the time of his retirement Chapman was an up and coming contender, and a darling of the boxing press. He received tremendous coverage and exposure in the boxing press as a heavyweight prospect, and was featured on national television. Further, Chapman was rated by just about every major sanctioning body including the lineal sanction body, the WBC, which gave him a World Rating of 14.

Chapman will return on an untelevised club show this Saturday, June 5, 2021, and in a fight close to where it all begun in his home state of Arkansas. Chapman was called in as a last minute replacement opponent to fight Tony “Kryptonite” Lopez at the Springdale Convention Center.

It will be a clash of big men. Chapman weighed in at 294 lbs, while his opponent Lopez weighed in at 259. It will be a battle of big men as Chapman is 6’5” while Lopez is 6’6”.

Although he has had only two professional boxing fights, Lopez is a veteran pugilist with nearly a 100 fights under his belt, spanning multiple combat sports disciplines, Mixed Martial Arts, kickboxing and bare knuckle fighting.

Said JD, “I was only offered the fight on Thursday but decided to take it anyway. Even though I’ve been off for so long, I was already training for a July event, and I think I’m ready enough. I accepted the fight with such short notice because I just could not pass on the opportunity to get back in the ring. I did not realize how much I missed fighting.”

In his prime, Chapman had some high profile trainers, including Michael Moorer, Jeff Mayweather and Norman Wilson. Currently, he is trained by former MMA fighter Brian Foster and Chapman’s return is being guided by Edward Mendy of Lion Heart Boxing Productions.

White Sox reinstate Andrew Vaughn from injured list; option Gavin Sheets to Class AAA Charlotte

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CHICAGO – Prior to today’s game vs. Detroit, the Chicago White Sox reinstated rookie outfielder Andrew Vaughn from the injured list and optioned infielder/outfielder Gavin Sheets to Class AAA Charlotte.

Vaughn, 23, was placed on the injured list on Thursday. He is hitting .226 (31-137) with 11 doubles, four home runs, 12 RBI and 19 runs scored over 43 games in 2021, his first in the major leagues.

Sheets, 25, did not appear in a game with the White Sox after being recalled from Charlotte on Thursday. He is batting .319/.360/.500 (30-94) with five doubles, four home runs, 20 RBI and 11 runs scored over 23 games with the Knights this season.

Cardinals place Kim & Williams on 10-day I.L.; Angel Rondón & John Nogowski recalled from Memphis (AAA)

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ST. LOUIS, MO., – Prior to this afternoon’s game, St. Louis Cardinals announced that they have placed left-handed pitcher Kwang Hyun Kim (right lower back stiffness) and outfielder Justin Williams (neck stiffness) on the 10-day Injured List. Williams’ injury is retroactive to June 3.

The team also announced that it has recalled from Memphis (AAA) rookie right-handed pitcher Angel Rondón (pronounced ahn-HELL ron-DOHN) and first baseman/outfielder John Nogowski.

Rondón, 23, who will be making his Major League debut with his first game appearance, has appeared in five games (4 starts) for Memphis this season. The 6-1, 210-pound Rondón has allowed just one earned run in his last two starts, covering 9.0 innings pitched for the Redbirds. The Higuey, Dominican Republic native was the Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2019 while splitting time at Palm Beach (A) and Springfield (AA).

Nogowski, who opened the 2021 season on the big league roster, has appeared in 15 games for the Cardinals this season. In 20 games for Memphis, Nogowski has produced a .268 batting mark with 3 HR’s & 11 RBI. He went 3-for-5 with a homer and 2 RBI in Memphis’ walk-off win over Toledo last night.

Rondón wears uniform no. 55 and Nogowski no. 34.

The Cardinals currently have 10 players on the Injured List, including six pitchers.