Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died, the team, his agency and the NBA said Tuesday. He was 29.
Neither the Grizzlies nor Clarke’s agency, Priority Sports, immediately provided any details about when, where or how Clarke died.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke. Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten,” the Grizzlies said in a statement. “We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
His agents wrote on social media that they were “beyond devastated” by Clarke’s death.
Clarke was the 21st overall pick out of Gonzaga in the 2019 NBA draft by Oklahoma, which dealt his rights to the Grizzlies (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
“He was so loved by all of us here and everyone whose life he touched,” Priority Sports said. “He was the gentlest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed sympathy to Clarke’s family and friends and the Grizzlies organization.
Advertisement
“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke,” Silver said. “As one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit.”
The National Basketball Players Association said, “This is an incredible loss for the brotherhood. We will remember Brandon not only for the immense joy he brought to so many throughout his career, but for the genuine friendships he built far beyond basketball.”
Clarke was arrested on April 1 in Arkansas for speeding and possession of a controlled substance that was reportedly kratom, an herbal supplement promoted as an alternative pain remedy that is legal to possess in Tennessee. He was released on bond a day later.
Clarke was the 21st overall pick out of Gonzaga in the 2019 NBA draft by Oklahoma, which dealt his rights to the Grizzlies, who already took guard Ja Morant at No. 2 overall. Clarke joined Morant on the NBA’s All-Rookie team in 2020, and the Grizzlies gave him a multiyear contract extension in October 2022.
Advertisement
He tore his left Achilles tendon on March 3, 2023, in a loss to the Denver Nuggets in a showdown of the top two teams in the Western Conference. Injuries limited him to 72 of a possible 246 games over the past three seasons, including only two this season.
Clarke averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds over his seven seasons with the Grizzlies
Nikita Shulchenco of LCW UAECycling Team in action during the Tour of Luzon. –HANDOUT PHOTO
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Barring a massive disaster, Nikita Shulchenko has the MPTC Tour of Luzon title in the bag.
The Russian rider finished second in the individual time trial on Tuesday, the summer cycling spectacle’s penultimate stage, and built a four-minute cushion against French cyclist Antoine Huby
Article continues after this advertisement
Advertisement
“It’s great for me,” said Shulchenko after crossing the finish in 26 minutes and one second amid the scorching heat and windy conditions at Lingayen Baywalk. South Korean ace Min Kyeong-ho beat him by 22 seconds.
Shulchenko crossed the finish in 26 minutes and one second amid the scorching heat and windy conditions at Lingayen Baywalk.
Min ruled the race-against-time format, but that meant little to the LCW UAE Cycle top rider, who built himself a buffer heading into the killer final stage from here to Baguio via Kennon Road, which will feature a climb that is more suitable to Huby’s talents.
Biggest threat
Huby was tagged as a potential challenger for Shulchenko, with mountain stages affording several opportunities to eat up time deficits, but he could not keep pace during the time trial, finishing at 27:21—1:42 behind Min and 1:20 slower than Shulchenko.
Advertisement
Article continues after this advertisement
Shulchenko now has an aggregate time of 36:42:22, ahead of the 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines ace by 3:50.
Huby emerged as the biggest threat to Shulchenko’s hold on the yellow jersey when he conquered the difficult climb towards Daang Kalikasan in Mangatarem the previous day to move within 2:30 of the Russian.
But a poor finish in the time trial by Huby turned Wednesday’s final stage into a virtual coronation lap for Shulchenko and not the “Battle Royale” that 7-Eleven team manager Ric Rodriguez billed it to be during the Tour’s rest day in Pagudpud last week.
Advertisement
Article continues after this advertisement
Huby had beaten Shulchenko in the tough climbs, including the unforgiving Stage 10 at Bessang Pass in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, which could have made the final stage more dramatic had the 25-year-old slashed the deficit even more or even just kept pace.
“It’s a nice gap for me, but there’s no reason for me to relax,” Shulchenko said.
The Russian rider has donned the symbolic jersey since Stage 3, and will look to secure the P1 million top prize for the best individual rider of the Tour—which would make a fitting early birthday present.
Advertisement
Shulchenko will turn 27 on May 31.
His LCW teammate, Ibrahiem Alrefai, is third in the general classification (5:37 behind), while MPT DriveHub’s Nash Lim moved into fourth (8:05 behind) and is now the best Filipino rider.
Fan favorite Mervin Corpuz of 7-Eleven is fifth (+8:54), with Malaysia national team’s Muhammad Mazlin (+9:26) in sixth and 7-Eleven’s Ronnilan Quita (+9:46) seventh.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Advertisement
Your subscription has been successful.
Rounding out the top 10 are MPT’s Rustom Lim (+12:19), Seoul’s Jung Woo-ho (+13:30) and Go for Gold Philippines’ Rench Michael Bondoc (+13:54).
Jacob Fatu brutally assaulted Roman Reigns and The Usos on the latest episode of Monday Night RAW. Following this incident, he has now broken his silence on social media.
The Samoan Werewolf challenged the OTC for the World Heavyweight Championship last Saturday at Backlash in Tampa. Despite dominating Reigns during the match, Jacob Fatu was unable to get the job done. In the end, Roman managed to pin him to retain his title.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
Frustrated, Fatu attacked the World Heavyweight Champion after the match. That’s not all. The Samoan Werewolf still didn’t hold back this week on the red brand. He brutally assaulted Roman Reigns and The Usos during what was meant to be an “Acknowledgement Ceremony.”
Advertisement
Following this incident, Fatu has now broken his silence on X/Tiwtter with this message:
Real Reason why Jacob Fatu lost at Backlash – Check Here!
“@Golden1Center @WWE WE NEED A PLE IN THE 916 WHERE IM FROM❗️❗️❗️❗️” Fatu wrote.
Will Triple H book Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu II?
Roman Reigns may have survived WWE Backlash 2026 with the World Heavyweight Championship intact, but the war with Jacob Fatu looks far from over. In fact, the RAW after Backlash only added more fuel to the fire.
Fatu’s explosive actions on Monday night made it clear that he is still hunting the OTC. The Samoan Werewolf has been relentless ever since stepping into the main event picture, and despite falling short at Backlash, he doesn’t appear ready to move on. Given this, it’s possible that Triple H could book Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu II at Clash in Italy later this month.
Advertisement
The first match proved that Fatu belongs at the top of the card. He pushed Reigns to his limit and nearly walked away with the title before the Tribal Chief escaped with a narrow victory. WWE now has a golden opportunity to capitalize on that momentum with an even bigger rematch on May 31.
At the same time, WWE could take a different route if Adam Pearce decides to punish Fatu for his post-Backlash chaos on RAW. A suspension or storyline fine would temporarily delay the rematch and allow Reigns to move into another feud before revisiting unfinished business with his dangerous cousin.
Having sparred Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez last year, Jaron Ennis has weighed in on what makes him one of the best fighters of his era.
Canelo and ‘Boots’ Ennis sparred back in August when the Mexican was preparing for a defence of his undisputed super-middleweight title against Terence Crawford, and ‘Boots’ was going through the gears ahead of his super-welterweight debut against Uisma Lima.
Reflecting on their sessions, the Philadelphian told All The Smoke Fight of his fondness for the four-division champion.
“He [Canelo] was cool, he was regular, he is a funny dude, super funny, People don’t know but when he speaks English super fluent, he is super funny, that whole team is funny.”
In terms of his ability, Ennis went on to point out how valuable the rounds were for him, still viewing Canelo as an elite fighter due to his experience, intelligence and patience.
“My sparring sessions went great, I was in there being myself and having fun. I was picking his brain, he is like 70 fights in, so he knows different things and little tricks, so I’m picking his brain and seeing what is working, seeing what I can do. It was fun, I enjoyed myself.
“He was smart, he takes his time. He is like super patient, the same way as when he fights … Honestly, that might be his best [attribute].
Asked about Canelo’s power specifically, Ennis said:
Advertisement
“It was cool. No [not the hardest I’ve been in with.]”
The two bottom sides in the MLS Western Conference table lock horns on Wednesday when Orlando City take on Philadelphia Union at the Inter&Co Stadium. While the hosts could pick up back-to-back home wins for the first time this season, Bradley Carnell’s men will be aiming to snap their run of five consecutive matches without a win.
Orlando City were sent crashing back to earth last Saturday as they fell to a 2-0 loss against CF Montreal when the two sides squared off at the Saputo Stadium.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
Martin Perelman’s side had won their previous two outings, picking up a thrilling 4-3 victory over New England Revolution on April 30, four days before defeating Inter Miami by the same scoreline at Nu Stadium.
After four straight games on the road, Orlando return to the Inter&Co Stadium, where they have won two of their most recent three league games, with a 1-0 defeat against Houston Dynamo sandwiched between the two victories.
Advertisement
Elsewhere, Philadelphia Union failed to find their feet last weekend when they fell to a 2-1 defeat against New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium.
Carnell’s men have gone five consecutive games without a win, losing twice and claiming three draws, while managing just one win from their 12 MLS matches so far.
With just six points from a possible 36, Philadelphia Union sit rock-bottom in the Western Conference standings, four points and one spot below Wednesday’s hosts.
Advertisement
Orlando City vs Philadelphia Union Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
Philadelphia Union hold a slight upper hand in the history of this fixture, having won nine of the last 24 meetings between the two teams.
Orlando City have picked up one fewer win in that time, while the spoils have been shared on seven occasions.
Orlando have lost just one of the last six matches against Philadelphia Union while picking up three wins and two draws since March 2023.
Philadelphia Union have failed to win seven of their last eight away games across all competitions, losing six and claiming one draw since February 22.
Orlando City vs Philadelphia Union Prediction
It has been a difficult start to the campaign for Orlando City and Philadelphia Union, and both sides know a positive result on Wednesday could be the catalyst for a run of good form.
Recent performances at home should give Orlando plenty of optimism and we see them getting the better of Carnell’s men, who have managed just one away win since February.
Prediction: Orlando City 2-1 Philadelphia Union
Orlando City vs Philadelphia Union Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Orlando City to win
Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals – Yes (There have been at least three goals scored in six of the last seven meetings between the two sides)
Advertisement
Tip 3: Both sides to score – Yes (Both sides have also scored in six of their last seven encounters)
With the Draft behind us, the Vikings’ roster for the offseason is mostly fulfilled. They still have a few spots open, and as we’ve seen with the Jauan Jennings signing, they are looking for key contributors.
The idea of a roster prediction in early May isn’t to be 100% correct (although I fully intend to brag if I am), but rather to gauge where things stand before OTAs, minicamp, training camp, and the preseason.
Several Vikings Roster Spots Are Already Getting Tight
And I also think this is a fun exercise, so let’s get to it.
Advertisement
Quarterbacks (3)
In: Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz;
Out: Max Brosmer
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
For now, I think this is the easiest one. Murray is likely to start things off as the starter, but McCarthy will have his fair shot if he shows improvement. Carson Wentz gives you an experienced voice in the room, and I don’t think he’d have returned for 2026 if he didn’t think he’d stick around.
Max Brosmer could still develop into a solid backup, but he played poorly in 2025, even for an undrafted rookie. One of my hot takes for 2026 is that Murray and McCarthy won’t both be on the roster, but we’ll see about that.
Advertisement
Wide Receivers (6)
In: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, Tai Felton, Myles Price, Dillon Bell;
Out: Joaquin Davis, Dontae Fleming, Jeshaun Jones, Shaleak Knotts, Marcus Sanders, Luke Wysong.
I’ll be bold here: I think Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison make the roster. They form one of the best duos in the league and will continue to do so for at least two more seasons. Jauan Jennings is a much-needed, stronger, and taller wide receiver.
Felton is a high pick, only in his second season, and was great on special teams, so there’s no reason to think he won’t stay. Price handled both returning spots, and he’ll probably do it again in 2026. Rookie UDFA Dillon Bell is a fun one.
Advertisement
He was a gadget player and could find himself in a similar role in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, as the team doesn’t have anyone with this skillset.
Halfbacks (5)
In: Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Demond Claiborne, Zavier Scott, Max Bredeson;
Out: Kejon Owens.
With the Vikings not spending heavily on the running back position, it’s fair to assume that Jones and Mason will handle the bulk of the carries again. Demond Claiborne can be a demon (bad pun intended) on the field, but his ball security woes can cost him playing time.
Advertisement
If he can figure it out, though, the rookie can be the home-run threat this room lacks. Scott got one of the last spots on the roster, but mostly because I don’t know if Kevin O’Connell will have four running backs.
However, Scott’s ability as a receiver complements this backfield really well, and he had some good plays in 2025. Bredeson comes in as the new fullback on the roster and should be a contributor right away, given his prowess as a run blocker.
Tight Ends (4)
Dan Powers-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
In: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Gavin Bartholomew, Ben Yurosek;
Out: Bryson Nesbit.
This may be the team’s weakest position on offense. Hockenson doesn’t look the same after his knee injury and has had one of the worst seasons of his career. There’s a chance this had to do with the quarterback play, but it’s still cause for concern.
Advertisement
Josh Oliver is excellent as a blocker and more than capable as a pass catcher, but heavily underused in this aspect. Bartholomew missed his entire rookie season due to a back problem, so this will be the first time we see him in action. Yurosek had over 100 snaps and appeared in 12 games in 2025, giving him a shot at making the roster this season.
Offensive Linemen (9)
In: Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Gavin Gerhardt, Will Fries, Brian O’Neill, Blake Brandel, Joe Huber, Ryan Van Demark, Caleb Tiernan;
Out: Michael Jurgens, Delby Lemieux, Henry Bird, Vershon Lee, Tomas Rimac, Caleb Etienne, Tristan Leigh, Walter Rouse.
Four spots on the offensive line are set in stone. Blake Brandel will kick things off as the starting center, but I think this can evolve into a competition with rookie Gavin Gerhardt. Although he’s a seventh-round pick, he has a lot of experience at the position, starting for four years in college.
Advertisement
I also like the idea of Brandel working at center and being able to serve as the backup for every position. The Vikings spent a considerable amount of money on Van Demark in the restricted free agency and used a top-100 pick on Caleb Tiernan, so both should be locks.
If Gerhardt wins the starting job, I’m okay with having only Huber as a true backup guard, as Brandel would also be able to fill in.
Out: Elijah Williams, Monkell Goodwine, Eric Johnson II, Taki Taimani.
Advertisement
Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Arguably the most promising position on the roster, the Vikings have young defensive tackles with tons of potential. Redmond had a breakout season in 2025, and hopefully that was just the start.
At 27, he could be the leader of this group for the next handful of years. If we’re talking about potential, no one embodies it better than the first-round rookie Caleb Banks. The early signs are that he’ll be able to practice fully at the start of training camp, and, if his foot doesn’t bother him again, could make a nasty duo with Redmond.
The other three round out this duo really well: Ingram-Dawkins comes in on passing downs, Orange possesses the ability to be a great nose tackle, and Rodriguez can contribute on both, although he’s more of a nose tackle as well. How well they perform will hinge on Redmond’s continued development and Banks’ health, but if all goes well, they can wreak havoc in opposing backfields.
Edge Rushers (5)
In: Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Kyle Van Noy, Bo Richter, Tyler Batty;
I wasn’t fond of the idea of trading Jonathan Greenard. The price was mostly fair, considering he’ll turn 29 and has an extensive injury history.
But this trade left the Vikings in an odd position. Van Ginkel will continue to do Van Ginkel things, while I fully believe Dallas Turner is ready to take that additional step. However, the depth behind them is way less than optimal. Both Bo Richter and Tyler Batty are special teams players who have never had more than 6% of the defensive snaps.
In the NFL, you must rotate your front seven as often as possible, so this is not enough. There aren’t any premium edge rushers in the market, as we are in the middle of May. Kyle Van Noy is my pick here, mostly due to his familiarity with Brian Flores, and he has played at least 50% of the snaps in each of the last three seasons. After Jauan Jennings’ signing, I believe that a veteran edge rusher is the next big priority.
Linebackers (4)
In: Blake Cashman, Jake Golday, Eric Wilson, Ivan Pace;
Advertisement
Out: Keli Lawson, Jacob Roberts, Josh Ross, Scooby Williams.
This is another position that I believe is set in stone. Blake Cashman is a very underrated player, but his injury woes are cause for concern. Eric Wilson had a career year in 2025, but banking on it happening again wouldn’t be wise, which is one reason I picked Golday even more.
Speaking of Golday, I think he can impress enough to be the starter alongside Cashman. Wilson should still see the field a lot, but more as a rotational player. Ivan Pace provides solid depth and special-teams play.
Cornerbacks (5)
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
In: Byron Murphy, Isaiah Rodgers, James Pierre, Charles Demmings, Zemaiah Vaughn;
I think the first four players are safe bets. Murphy is the best cornerback on the team and has slot-boundary versatility. Isaiah Rodgers had his moments in 2025, and James Pierre is an improvement at the CB3 position.
I believe that Flores would’ve pushed harder for a cornerback if he weren’t comfortable with this trio. Most of the other cornerbacks fighting for a roster spot are current or former UDFAs, so the fact that the Vikings used a pick on Demmings is a great sign that he makes the roster. The final spot was between Vaughn and McGlothern, although Marcus Allen is likely to have an opportunity as well.
Safeties (4)
In: Josh Metellus, Jakobe Thomas, Jay Ward, Theo Jackson;
Out: Jacob Thomas, Tavierre Thomas.
Advertisement
The hope here is that Metellus can go back to his 2024 form. He played with a shoulder injury through most of 2025, and it clearly impacted him. A top-100 pick, Jakobe Thomas will have an opportunity to play early if he can quickly understand Flores’ scheme. Jay Ward got some snaps late last season and impressed, and he also has a chance to be an impact player this season. Theo Jackson was kind of underwhelming in 2025, but unless Harrison Smith returns, I can’t see him not making the roster.
Special Teams (3)
In: Will Reichard (K), Brett Thorson (P), Andrew DePaola (LS);
Out: Johnny Hekker (P).
Will Reichard is an All-Pro caliber player. Andrew DePaola is an All-Pro caliber player. Even if the Vikings had brought someone to “compete” with them, the other player would certainly lose. This means that the only true debate is Johnny Hekker and Brett Thorson.
Advertisement
Hekker will absolutely go to the Hall of Fame when he decides to hang up the cleats, but he’s coming off arguably his worst season in the NFL. Thorson, an UDFA, won the Ray Guy award for the best punter in college last season. The punter position came down to who’s the better holder in the last few seasons, and it’s likely to happen again in 2026. When it comes to punting, though, Thorson has all the momentum.
Shakur Stevenson has looked unbeatable in recent fights, but in the eyes of two-division world champion Tim Bradley, there is one man he would struggle against.
Now, he has options at 135lbs and 140lbs, but is also being called out by several welterweights to jump up to 147. Ryan Garcia, Conor Benn and Devin Haney have all targeted the pound-for-pound star, who has said he would only agree with either a rehydration clause or catchweight in the contract.
“Right now, at 147lbs, I would give Devin the edge, but at 144lbs I would give it to Shakur.
“Devin understands Shakur, he understands how to deal with him and knows what he has got to do. It will be a mixture of boxing and smart pressure and letting his hands go. I have watched their sparring sessions a hundred times and Devin has got some dog in him too.
“Shakur has got dog in him, as well, but Shakur wouldn’t be able to be cute on the outside and beat him with just one hand, ain’t no way. So, at 147lbs, right now, I would favour Devin.”
Both Haney and Stevenson have been linked to a move to Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing ahead of that proposed fight, although their signatures have not yet been confirmed, and Stevenson has told fans that there is little truth in the reported fight talks.
There’s no better indicator of the long-term success of a college football program than its overall winning percentage over a couple of consecutive decades.
Winning consistently attracts talented players, coaches, and wealthy donors, which breeds more winning.
The table below shows the overall winning percentages and win-loss records for the region’s top programs over the last 20 seasons.
Advertisement
Overall Winning % and Records for CFB Programs in the West
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé on Monday was named the Ligue 1 player of the year for the second year running. Paris Saint-Germain and RC Lens shared the main trophies.
In the Premier League, Tottenham squandered a golden opportunity in the battle to avoid relegation. In tennis, Jannik Sinner made short work of his opponents on home soil in Rome. There was relief for Victor Wembanyama, who will not face a suspension in the NBA. Finally, FC Barcelona celebrated their title.
TRICON Garage will honor Greg Biffle this weekend at Dover Motor Speedway, with Tanner Gray running a special throwback scheme on the No. 15 Toyota Tundra. The tribute, announced ahead of the All-Star weekend, revisits one of Biffle’s most recognizable Busch Series (now O’Reilly Series) designs.
Biffle died on December 18, 2025, in a private jet that crashed near Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. The crash claimed seven lives, including his wife Cristina Grossu, his children Ryder and Emma, along with his friend Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth. The loss continues to be felt across the NASCAR garage months later.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
Several teams have since paid multiple tributes to Biffle this year. TRICON Garage has now confirmed their homage on X, writing:
Advertisement
“Be like Biff. Tanner Gray and the No. 15 team will pay homage to 17x @NASCAR_Trucks winner Greg Biffle this weekend at Dover 🎨.”
The truck itself mirrors Greg Biffle’s 2006 Dover Ameriquest-era design. It carries a bright, multicolored layout with bold abstract patterns, staying close to the original look. The updated version also includes personal elements, with the names of those lost in the December crash placed on the rear of the truck as part of the tribute.
Fans called it one of the best tribute designs of the season, praising both the accuracy to the original and the emotional detail added. There has also been early demand for a diecast version, reflecting how strongly the design has connected with the fan base.
Greg Biffle’s 2006 season remains one of the defining stretches of his career. He finished 13th in the Cup Series with 4,075 points and two wins, coming at Darlington and Homestead. He also ran 30 Busch Series races and finished ninth in the final standings. At Dover that year, he finished eighth in both Series, driving the No. 16 Roush Racing Ford, making it a fitting place for the tribute to return.
For Tanner Gray, the weekend also carries a competitive arc. Through eight Truck Series races in 2026, he has yet to record a top-10 finish in the No. 15 entry, while teammate Kaden Honeycutt in the No. 11 truck currently leads the standings.
Advertisement
Investigation continues in Greg Biffle’s crash
Greg Biffle – Private jet crash in North Carolina – Source: Getty
The investigation into Greg Biffle’s December crash remains ongoing, with NTSB and federal authorities still working toward a final report. Preliminary findings confirmed that Dennis Dutton was the pilot in command, with his son beside him.
Four occupants on board held pilot certifications, including Biffle, but there was no clearly structured two-pilot setup. Investigators also pointed to a mix of instrument-related issues and increasing cockpit workload during the flight. There were also signs of system anomalies, which may have affected situational awareness during the final landing.
A final determination on the cause is expected once the full report is completed. Away from the investigation, Greg Biffle’s personal estate has also been in the spotlight. Reports of a burglary at his North Carolina home and other incidents around his assets have added to an already difficult period for those close to him.
David Benavidez’s victory over Gilberto Ramirez got the boxing world talking about whether a potential history-making heavyweight title win could be on the cards, and now top-rated trainer Robert Garcia has shared his thoughts on the debate.
Having ruled at both super-middleweight and light-heavyweight, Benavidez made the 25lbs leap up to cruiserweight and made easy work of unified WBO and WBA champion, Ramirez, halting the Mexican in round six.
As a result, many fans are questioning whether Benavidez should ditch his plans of returning to light heavyweight and possibly venture all the way up to heavyweight to pursue a showdown with current unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Advertisement
Should he claim heavyweight gold, Benavidez would join Roy Jones Jr as just the second man to have truly reigned at super-middleweight and heavyweight, not including James Toney’s heavyweight title win, which was subsequently ruled as a no-contest due to a failed drugs test. ‘The Mexican Monster’ is currently the only man to have won titles at 168, 175 and 200lbs.
Speaking to ES News, Garcia, who has trained the likes of Anthony Joshua, Jesse Rodriguez and Nonito Donaire, stated his belief that ‘The Mexican Monster’ would be able to dethrone Usyk in two years.
“I think that Benavidez beats Usyk two years from now. [Usyk is nearly 40 already,] so imagine two years from now, Benavidez beats him.”
Whether or not Usyk sticks around that long remains to be seen. The two-weight undisputed champion fights kickboxer Rico Verhoeven this month, and has said he will compete twice more before seriously considering retirement.
With plenty of contenders already in the division and worthy of a shot at the Ukrainian, the Benavidez bout seems a long way off, not least because Benavidez himself seems intent, for now, on dropping back down rather than moving up further.
Advertisement
Benavidez does plan to make a move to the top division at one stage, however, and if Garcia believes he can beat someone as talented as Usyk, even with age playing a factor, he will likely back him against many other heavyweights.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login