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SOURCE SPORTS: Shakur Stevenson Dominates Oscar Valdez To Unify WBO and WBC Super Featherweight Titles

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Newark’s own Shakur Stevenson is quickly moving up the ranks and being considered one of the best pound for pound in the sport. Stevenson put on a clinic on Oscar Valdez to retain his WBC super featherweight title and capture Valdez’s WBO title.

“I’m a superstar in this sport,” said Stevenson, 24. “I want to collect all the belts at 130 and become undisputed. I deserve to be a superstar, so that’s what I gotta do.”

Stevenson did it all in the ring and even found time to pop the question to his long-time girlfriend. No doubt she was going to say yes in the ring.

Stevenson put down Valdez in the sixth and neutralized Valdez’s vaunted power. Valdez came into the bout 30-0 with 23 knockouts, but he rarely touched Stevenson in the fight clean.

“He’s a great fighter,” Valdez said of Stevenson. “His speed is there. Power is there. He was just the better fighter tonight. Overall, a great fighter.”

Skill is the limit for Stevenson, who looks to dominate the 135 division and fight all challenges that await him. One of those challengers who could be next was Devin Haney, who just happened to sign a deal with Top Rank Boxing, the same promotion that Stevenson and Valdez are part of.

“Devin is definitely a huge fight for me; Devin is a helluva fighter. We can line it up in the future,” said Stevenson

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SOURCE SPORTS: All-Pro Reciever AJ Brown Traded to the Eagles

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AJ Brown shocked the NFL and NFL Draft by getting traded from the Tennessee Titians to the Philadelphia Eagles. After the Eagles moved up in the draft to select Defensive Tackle Jordan Davis with the 13th pick, the Eagles shocked the NFL by landing the All-Pro Brown via a trade with the Titans.

Not only that, but the Eagles have already signed the Pro Bowl wideout to a four-year, $100 million extension with $57 million guaranteed, per NFL Media, as they secured a new top target for the long term.

In exchange for Brown, the Titans received the No. 18 overall pick, which they used on potential Brown successor Treylon Burks from Arkansas, and the Eagles’ No. 101 pick, a third-rounder.

The Titians were the number 1 seed in the AFC last season with the help of Brown. Ultimately, the Titians didn’t want to give Brown a huge payday, so they traded him and, for all-purpose, drafted his replacement in a draft loaded with wide receivers.

The Eagles now have a go-to receiver that quarterback Jalen Hurst can rely on. Both Hurts and Brown are close friends who work out together regularly, so the Eagles stuck gold here, especially if they plan on building around Hurts long term. Brown is that big receiver the Eagles’ offense needed, and alongside DeVonta Smith, it will pose a big problem for defenses this season.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Shakur Stevenson Talks Oscar Valdez, Trailblazing & More

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Undefeated WBO junior lightweight titlist Shakur Stevenson (17-0), one of the best pound-4-pound boxers in the world and self-proclaimed “smartest boxer in the sport,” faces his biggest challenge yet this Saturday night (April 30) when he fights WBC champ Oscar Valdez (30-0) to unify the super featherweight titles in Madison Square Garden.

MORE: Floyd Mayweather Makes Boxing Return With Exhibition In Dubai This May

After capturing the WBO title following a dominating TKO victory over former champ Jamel Herring last October. Stevenson, 24, not only puts his title on the line but also his undefeated streak against Valdez – who is also undefeated and eager to erase his past cheating allegations behind him. The unification bout is a career-defining fight for both fighters.

The Source’s Bryson “Boom” Paul spoke with the Newark, New Jersey native during fight week, discussing training for Oscar Valdez, who he’s listening to right now, being a new first-time father, the importance of trailblazing a path in boxing that the future will follow, women’s boxing, and so much more.

Watch the full interview above.

Stevenson, the two-weight world champion, welcomed a daughter last December with girlfriend Michelle Ragston, also known as recording artist Young Lyric. The Top Rank boxer has been identified as the future pound-4-pound by various co-signs, which includes Terrence “Bud” Crawford – who is currently ranked #4 overall in boxing. Shakur Stevenson is a Southpaw and heads into Saturday night a 5 to 1 favorite over Valdez.

MORE: Triller Announces Boxing Competition Series ‘So You Think You Can Fight’

Stevenson-Valdez, plus a full supporting undercard, will be broadcast on ESPN, beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. PT. The show will also air on Sky Sports in the U.K.

Watch the full interview above and check out the Stevenson-Valdez preview “Blood, Sweat and Tears: Valdez vs. Stevenson” below.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Stephen A. Smith Seguests James Harden May Want Doc Rivers Out and Mike D’Antoni in as 76ers’ Head Coach

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The Philadelphia 76ers seemed to be a lock for the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs after being up 3-0 in their best of seven series with the Toronto Raptors.

Things are tight for the 76ers, who are now only up 3-2 in the series, heading back to Toronto for a game 6. James Harden has been struggling in the last few games of the series, and someone has a theory as to why.

On ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith suggested that Harden maybe throw this series to get D’Antoni in there:

Smith believes Harden may throw the series to get Doc Rivers fired and Mike D’Antoni hired. Suppose the 76ers can’t recover and win either Game 6 and Game 7 and become the first team to blow a 3-0 series lead. In that case, there is a big chance that Rivers loses his job, and a guy like D’Antoni could step in, considering his relationship with the 76ers general manager Daryl Morey and Harden.

Harden hasn’t been the same player since his MVP season a few years ago. In that same First Take segment, JJ Redick suggested that Harden has many miles on him and maybe be past his prime. If that is the case, an argument can be made that both can be true.

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SOURCE SPORTS: 3 Reasons Why the Brooklyn Nets Are Home Early From the NBA Playoffs

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Brooklyn Nets Secure 7th Seed Ahead of Play in Tournament

From projected NBA champions to a first-round sweep, the Brooklyn Nets season is over. The Boston Celtics swept the Nets in 4 games in the NBA playoffs first round. The Nets were the only team to be swept in the first round of the playoffs. Here are three reasons why the Nets are off to Cancun.

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Lack Of Chemistry

The Net’s lack of playing time together finally showed its ugly head going up against a Celtics core that has been playing ball together for several years. The Nets were without Kyrie Irving for most of the season at home, and Kevin Durant missed significant time with a knee injury. The two All-Stars didn’t get time to gel much this season.

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James Harden Factor

Midway last season, the Nets formed a big three by acquiring Harden, who, midway through this season, already had a change of heart that led him to Philadelphia. To first get Harden, the Nets had to give up many assets for him, and when they traded him, they were stuck with a disgruntled Ben Simmons.

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Lack Of Size

The Nets are a small team, and the Celtics took every advantage of it. The Celtics outrebounded the Nets, bullied the Nets, and out-hustled the Nets for four straight games. Durant and Irving were harassed and contested on every possession, and many turnovers both stars had shown.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Tyson Fury Silenced Dillian Whyte With a Devastating Hook, Mulling Retirement

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Tyson Fury Silenced Dillian Whyte With a Devastating Hook

Fresh off his fantastic trilogy fights with Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury returned to the ring to a hero’s welcome at Wembley Stadium. The 94 thousand in attendance witnessed what might have been the Gypsy King’s last dance.

Fury knocked out  Dillian Whyte with a devastating right hook in the 6th round. Whyte managed to get up but staggered into the corner, and referee Mark Lyson waved it off at the 2:59 mark of the round.

After the fight, Fury reflected on his legendary undefeated career, and it appears he is content with walking away from the sport at this time.

“Now it’s all done I have to be a man of my word. I think this is it, it might be the final curtain for The Gypsy King and what a way to go out!” Fury said to the fans at Wembley Stadium.

It isn’t clear where Fury will rank among all-time great heavyweights in boxing history. For right now, he is without question the sport’s best heavyweight in the sport today.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Jay Wright Retiring as Villanova Men’s Basketball Coach After 21 Years of Service

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Villanova men’s basketball head coach Jay Wright didn’t want a farewell tour. He wanted to retire quietly, and that’s exactly what he did on Wednesday. After 21 years of being the head coach at Villanova, Wright is retiring from the sidelines ending an era of excellence at Villanova that lead to multiple National Championships and Final Four appearances.

“Over the past 21 seasons, I have had the opportunity to live out a professional dream as the head coach at Villanova,” Wright said. “Patty and I have been blessed to work with incredible, gifted young men who allowed us to coach them and brought us unmatched joy. We cannot overstate our gratitude to the players, coaches, and administrators who have been with us on this path. It has been an honor and a privilege to work at Villanova, especially under Father Peter and Mark Jackson.”

Villanova said Wednesday that Wright would take a new role as special assistant to the university’s president. Fordham’s Kyle Neptune, who spent ten years under Wright as a video coordinator and an assistant coach, will take over as Villanova coach.

Wright was one of just three active coaches to have won multiple national titles. Wright has been approached for years to coach in the NBA and declining such offers for years now. While he wouldn’t be on the sidelines for Villanova, he would still be around the program overlooking it from a distance.

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SOURCE SPORTS: 49ers’ Deebo Samuel Demands a Trade

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Deebo Samuel wants out of San Francisco. In the final year of his rookie contract, Samuel told ESPN’s Jeff Darlington that he had asked the 49ers to trade him. Samuel is unhappy with the way San Francisco has been using him and is uninterested in negotiating an extension.

After missing ten games in 2020, Samuel caught 77 passes for 1,405 yards and six TDs. Last season, Samuel was a triple threat all-purpose offensive weapon. Most of the 49ers’ offense production was centered around Samuel/

Samuel’s defection would leave the 49ers scrambling for a team otherwise ready to compete now. The 49ers lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Rams in the NFC Championship Game, and their defense ranked seventh in the NFL last season.

If the 49ers are interested in trading Samuel, they could benefit from getting excellent draft compensation for him, considering the 2022 NFL draft is loaded with a talented wide receivers draft pool.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Jerry West Demands Apology From HBO and Producers of ‘Winning Time’ Lakers Series

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First, it was Magic Johnson, and now it’s the logo Jerry West, who isn’t a fan of his portrayal on HBO’s Winning Time series.

In a statement obtained by ESPN, which the outlet states was sent to the network and executive producer Adam McKay, representatives for the former Lakers player, coach, and general manager said the series “falsely and cruelly portrays Mr. West as an out-of-control, intoxicated rage-aholic.” The series, centering on the Showtime era of the storied Lakers franchise during the 1980s, includes Jason Clarke as West and John C. Reilly as then-team owner Dr. Jerry Buss.

The show is based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. West himself referred to the series as a “baseless and malicious assault” on his character. 

Skip Miller, one of West’s lawyers and a partner at Miller Barondess, LLP law firm, said the show is based on the fabrication that attempts to create facts that have “caused great distress to West and his family.” 

“… Jerry [West] had nothing but love for and harmony with the Lakers organization, and in particular owner Dr. Jerry Buss, during an era in which he assembled one of the greatest teams in NBA history,” the statement said, per ESPN.

West has long been considered one of the best men and mentors to several generations of NBA talents to step foot in the league. It’s very easy to see how upset he could be with the HBO show’s view of him, considering he is considered a Laker legend and never that of a tyrant.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Kyrie Irving Fined $50K for Flipping the Bird at Celtics Fans During Game 1

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Kyrie Irving knew he would be hit with a hefty fine for giving the Boston Celtics fans the double bird during game 1 of the NBA playoffs. Well, the league hit the Brooklyn Nets point guard in the pockets. The NBA has fined Irving $50k for his actions toward the fans Sunday afternoon.

“The same energy they have for me, I’m going to have for them,” Irving said following the game. “And it’s not every fan. I don’t want to attack every Boston fan, but when people start yelling “p****” and “b****” and “f*** you” and all of this, there’s only so much you can take as a competitor. We’re the ones expected to be docile and be humble and take a humble approach. No. F*** that. It’s the playoffs. This is what it is.”

Heading into tonight’s game 2 with the Nets trailing in the series 1-0, it will be interesting to see if Irving will continue to stand by his word to give the Celtics fans the same energy again.

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