MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2025
Maddison repeats as the female national champion
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
While Maddi-
son Carroll
repeated as the female national champion, Lynford Miller became the first president of the Bahamas Golf Federation to win the male national title.
The pair emerged on top of the final standings yesterday as the BGF concluded its 2025 National Amateur Golf Championships at the Lyford Cay Golf Club.
The event started at the Royal Blue Golf Club on Friday, Ocean Club on Paradise Island on Saturday and continued at the Royal Blue Golf Club on Saturday before the climax took place yesterday.
For Miller, it was a pair of firsts that he always wondered if it could and would
Lynford Miller becomes first president of Bahamas Golf Federation to win the male national title
happen until he finally achieved it, dethroning Richard Gibson Jr.
“It’s really exciting,” Miller said. “The field was strong. I was expecting a little more competition from Richard Gibson, who did very well over the past few years.
“He said he wasn’t at his best this time, so I was able to capture the crown. So going into the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships this week in Barbados, it’s a good feeling.”
Miller will be a part of the team that includes Gibson Jr, as they head to Barbados today and will begin competition on Wednesday through Friday before returning home on Saturday.
– PAGE 5
The team, coached by Richard Gibson Sr, will also include Nolan Johnson, Alex Dupuch and Alexander Roland and, on the female side, Carroll, along with Hailey Hall, Marinda Tucker and Chamari Pratt. Gibson Jr said despite losing his title, he felt it was good that Miller took it away from him.
“I’m not disappointed. I had a different goal in mind and Lynford knew what my goal was for this tournament,” Gibson Jr said. “It’s always good if you win. Clearly you would have achieved your goal.
“But my goal wasn’t to win, although I wanted it. My goal was to make sure that I finished in the top five, so I’m pleased with
that. But I’m glad that Lynford won.”
Carroll, however, made sure that she claimed her second straight female national title. She’s only 14 years old, but as she prepares to enter the 10th grade at an online school, she just hopes she can continue to get better.
“I started off today with some bogeys, but I turned it around with the last few holes on the front nine,” she said. “On the back, I
just kept focused because I knew I had it again.
“I felt my performance was great. I stayed steady and I didn’t overthink my shots. I felt great playing with my competitors, including my cousin Haley Hall and some of the other girls in my academy.”
Hall shot 242 for second place and Chamari Pratt was the third place finisher with 247. Seannae Norville-Smith was fourth with 255 and Kayleigh Rolle
Decathlete Kendrick
‘Bionic Man’ Thompson bounces back in action
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
AFTER surviving a boat accident and a shark bite that prevented him from competing last year, decathlete Kendrick Thompson, now known as the “Bionic Man,” has shown his resilience and fortitude to bounce back.
The 27-year-old Fresh Creek, Central Andros native has been working out under the supervision of his coach Wendell Collie in pursuit of his return to the international scene this year.
Having already made his season debut last month, Thompson left town on Sunday for Talence, France where he will compete in the Decastar at the Pierre Paul Bernard Stadium on Saturday and Sunday.
He received the endorsement of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations on Friday at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.
BAAA president Drumeco Archer presented him with a Bahamas team gear to compete in.
“I’ve always said that the strength of our programme
is the diversity of our programme,” Archer said.
“When you look at the kind of athletes that we have been producing over the years from the hurdles to the sprints, high jump vertical and horizontal, we’re seeing some amazing things. “But I think what adds to the dimension of our programme is now the introduction of world class decathletes and multievents athletes.”
In endorsing Thompson, Archer said they have seen an athlete in Thompson, who began his journey winning the multi-event at the CARIFTA Games, running just as fast in the 200m as the competitors in the open division.
“That’s a demonstration of a phenomenal talent,” Archer pointed out.
“I have already seen the progression of Kendrick Thompson. He has exceeded the 8,000-point mark, which places him at the top of the podium scale.
“So I’m looking forward to him doing immensely well, not only in this competition, but at the World Championships.” Archer said he doesn’t see why Thompson,
completed the top five with 259.
Quintin Gibson, securities advisor at RF Bank and Trust, said they were pleased with their investment in the BGF.
“It was amazing. We enjoyed it, We had a great vibe and great people. We look forward to doing it again next year,” he stated.
Gina Gonzalez-Rolle, the tournament director, said they were pleased with the outcome. “It was good
to see our juniors play so well,” she said. “Camdyn was tied in his category and Maddison was our overall female winner, so we were pleased with all of their performances.
“We felt the tournament on the whole was a good one. We had a good amount of players competing and after the weather got us down, everyone was happy with the change in the different courses. We were happy with everything.”
By
NEW YORK (AP) —
The Jazz Age is in full swing at Yankee Stadium.
Whether with his bat, his glove, his arm or his smile, Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr is energising the New York Yankees and their fans.
Chisholm Jr hit a secondinning, go-ahead homer and a bases-loaded triple while making three sparkling defensive plays at third base yesterday in a 12-5 romp over the Athletics.
“That’s why we got him. That’s what the Yankees do. They go after guys that are going to make an impact,” said New York captain Aaron Judge, who homered twice to reach 30 for the sixth time.
Chisholm Jr is batting .318 with six homers, 18 RBIs and four stolen bases since returning from strained right oblique on June 3, raising his season totals to .242 with 13 homers, 35 and 10 steals in
MILLER’S FUNERAL
THE funeral service for the late Harry Wenzel Miller, a former outstanding softball player, is all set to take place at 11am Saturday, July 5 at St Michael’s Methodist Church on Churchill Avenue. His interment will follow at the Western Cemetery. Miller, married to Moria Sweeting-Miller, is the father
of Theresa Miller-Tynes, a former outstanding female softball player. His other children are Pamela Miller, Patrice Miller-King, Monique Sweeting-Miller, Jennifer Ferguson-Miller, Ashley Miller-King and Roberto Miller. SUMMER FEST TOURNEY THE Crusaders/ Warhawks Volleyball
E2
DECATHLETE Kendrick Thompson in action. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
NATIONAL champions Maddison Carroll and Lynford Miller receive their awards from Quentin Gibson of RF Bank and Trust, far left, and tournament director Gina Gonzalez-Rolle.
RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer
‘I
just want to prove to the world that Kendrick Thompson is back’
can not win a medal at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan in September or the Olympic Games in 2028 in Los Angeles, California. Following his seasonopening performance at the Mösle-Stadium, Götzis, Austria from May 31 to June 1, Thompson accumulated a total of 8,063 points that has him sitting in the 20th spot on the world list.
The qualifying standard for the World Championships is 8,550 points to be one the top 25 competitors on the list.
As he heads to France this week, Thompson is hoping to improve on his performance and eventually surpass the standard.
“I’m really excited about this meet. I know I’m going to do very well,” said Thompson, who has a personal best of 8,182 he posted in 2023 as the previous national record before it was erased by Ken Mullings’ total of 8,226 at the 2024 Olympics Games in Paris, France.
“I just have to be focused and determined as I am. So far, I’m in the best shape of my life and I just want to prove to the world that Kendrick Thompson is back.”
After surviving the two boat accidents where he got hit in head by a propeller and on his arm and he was bitten by a shark, Thompson admitted that in order for him to excel in track and field, he needed to stay out of the water.
“I decided to log back into track and field, do my rehab in February,” he said. “Since then, I’ve seen tremendous improvement in performances and I’m really excited to show it off.”
At his debut in Götzis, Austria, Thompson noted that he was nursing a slight hamstring that prevented him from performing at his best. But he noted that he’s much better prepared for the meet this week.
Based on all that Thompson has gone through, Archer said they can now call him the “Bionic Man” to be able to overcome all of the setbacks he encountered to be able to return to compete again.
and $500 for the runners-up in both divisions. Interested teams are urged to call 4224550 or 801-3131 for more details.
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
Club, in conjunction with the Bahamas Volleyball Federation, is scheduled to host its inaugural Summer Fest Beach Volleyball Tournament from July 10-13 in Rolleville, Exuma.
The tournament, sponsored by Fidelity and Rubis, will feature a men’s 2-on-2 and women’s 3-on-3 format.
Cash prizes of $1,000 will be awarded for the winners
CAMP THE Southern University is all set to host a free basketball camp at the Agape Grace Gym from July 7-8.
The camp is designed for boys from grades 7-12. All participating players must bring their own food and drinks. Interested campers are urged to contact
Archer thanked the Bahamas Government for their financial support of the BAAA and its athletes, especially Thompson, who travel to the various international meets to represent the country outside of the national team.
Thompson, in response, thanked the BAAA, the Government, coach Collie, Laura Charlton and Kermit Taylor for their assistance in helping him to get back on track.
He indicated that he was hoping that Mullings would have been around because they help each other to strive to reach the next level. But with Mullings nursing an injury, Thompson said he’s eager to carry the Bahamian flag this year.
coach Stephen Johnson at 1-242-577-1035.
PEACE ON DA STREET FAMILY NIGHT
PLANS are underway for the staging of the Peace on Da Streets’ Basketball Classics’ Road to 30 years of existence.
The event, being organised by the Hope Center under the theme “Shooting hoops instead of guns,” is slated to be held from July 14-19 at the Michael ‘Scooter’ Reid Basketball Center. The highlight of the event will be the
Family Night, scheduled for Sunday, July 20 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium when the finals in all of the divisions will take place, starting at 3pm. There will also be the Mr Ship It Three-point shootout and the Joe’s Slam Dunk Contest. The night will conclude with the exciting Clergy versus Politicians match-up.
VOLLEYBALL
BBSF TOURNAMENT
THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation is slated to hold a meeting 5pm Saturday at its office at the Bahamas Baptist College
for all churches interested in participating in its co-ed volleyball tournament. The tournament will take place from July 18-19 at the CI Gibson Gymnasium. The registration fee is $200 per team for a roster of 12 players, which includes a mixture of men and women.
GOLF CHALLENGE THE Strikers’ Three Club Challenge is slated to be held from July 11-13 at the Bahamas Golf Federation Driving Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex with a shotgun start at noon each
day. The 18-holes event will be played in three different divisions with $2,500 in cash prizes for first, second and third-place finishes as well as the closest to the pin finisher. Registration is required. For more information, persons can contact Swanno at 242-376-0811. The registration fee is $150 per person, which includes the green fees for two days, plus food and drinks.
BOXING
FUNDRAISER
THE Boxing Federation of the Bahamas is planning to host a souse out as a fundraiser on Saturday, August 2, at the National Boxing Training Center, Blue Hill Sports Complex. The event is scheduled to take place from 9am to 3pm with chicken pig feet and sheep tongue with Johnnycake or rolls on the menu for a donation of $15. Soft drinks, potato, coconut and zucchini breads will also be on sale. This is part of our effort to meet our goal of $60,000, according to federation president Vincent Strachan. “We are seeking your support by purchasing tickets and additional donations of food items, if possible,” Strachan said. The 15 members are expected to participate in The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Championships in St Lucia from August 1-3. The team is expected to depart July 31 and would remain there for a training camp with the St Lucia national boxing team. They would depart for Georgetown, Guyana from August 14-18 for the school boys and girls championship and seniors. They would remain in Guyana for another training camp until August 27. Then will head to St Maarten, for The Battle Of The Islands Championships.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SPECIAL Olympics Bahamas is scheduled to hold their annual raffle grill fun day fundraiser on Saturday, August 16 from 11:30am to 6pm at the Stapledon School Grounds on Dolphin Drive. Dinners will include chicken, steak, fish, hot dogs, burgers, pastries and soft drinks. Domino’s, Connect 4 and basketball games will be played during the day. Interested persons are urged to call 426-0233, 477-0304 or 359-3558 for information on ticket purchases.
DECATHLETE Kendrick Thompson, left, and BAAA president Drumeco Archer. Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
DECATHLETE KENDRICK THOMPSON, now known as the “Bionic Man,” warms up during a practice session.
John Antonas returns as captain of a ‘youthful’ Davis Cup team
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
FORMER veteran player/captain John Antonas has returned as captain of the youthful men’s national team that will head to Trinidad & Tobago for the Americas Zone Four Davis Cup Tie from August 3-9.
The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association made the formal announcement last week as players Denali Nottage, Michael Major Jr, Donte Armbrister and Kofi Bowe waited to find out who was going to be their captain and when and where they were going to play. Since their selection to the team, the players have spent the past month working out together at Baha Mar’s John McEnroe Tennis Centre.
Now they have switched to the BLTA’s National Tennis Centre for their workout sessions heading into their departure for the tie.
For Antonas, who remains actively involved as a private coach, it was an honour for him to take advantage of the next generation of players as they prepare for the trip to Trinidad & Tobago. “I’ve always been thinking about it, but I stepped back for many years to allow the younger fellows to step in and to take over,” said Antonas, who last served as the captain of the team in 2001.
“For whatever reason, I’ve been asked to come in and I accepted it with great honour and great excitement and I’m just thrilled. I’m just thrilled to be able to represent my country with such a good young team like this.”
Over the next month, Antonas said once the players continue to put in the work, he doesn’t see why The Bahamas can’t be promoted to zone III again at the end of the tie.
“That is the ultimate goal, but we’re not just looking at the ultimate goal, but what it takes as a team to work together, prepare and to make it a reality.
“There are some guys who might not play and
there are some guys who play, but if we win, they will be a part of the win because without them, we can’t prepare for the win. So it’s going to be a whole team event and we hope that everybody will be in the same mindset to win.”
Antonas, 73, brings a wealth of experience, having first served in 1989 after The Bahamas broke away from the Commonwealth Caribbean Davis Cup team where he served as captain in both instances. From 1989-2001, Antonas would have served as The Bahamas’ team captain before he passed the mantle on to John Smith and John Farrington. “I’m just thrilled because I still do a lot of teaching because this is my love and my passion,” stated Antonas, who is a property manager at Port New Providence and a personal coach at a private court in Lyford Cay.
“Representing my country is really big for me.”
Perry Newton, president of the BLTA, said it wasn’t a hard choice when they approached Antonas to be a part of the team and he gracefully accepted.
“We’re really excited about this Davis Cup tie,” Newton said.
“We’re hoping for the best from them and hoping that John Antonas will be able to pull the best out of them to help them get out of zone four.”
The players, who have been childhood rivals and teammates on various junior national teams, are all thrilled to have a “legend” as Antonas on the sidelines for the tie.
“When coach John was named as the captain, we were all thrilled,” said Armbrister, one of the two veteran players at the Davis Cup level on the team, but listed as the number three ranked player this time.
“I knew him as a junior growing up. You heard stories about him from back in the day, during zone one with Mark Knowles and Roger Smith and the other guys, so he has a wealth of knowledge and so it’s an honour for him to share his experience with us.”
Armbrister said he expects great things from
the team as he helps them improve their game.
Nottage, the top ranked player on the team, said it takes the load off them knowing now that they have a “legend” in Antonas as their captain.
“He’s coming out here and we’re getting better and better,” Nottage said. “I’m going to take every word he says because he’s been to the top one at zone one and I will use it in my progression.”
Coming in as the No.2 ranked player, Major Jr said while they had some structure, they’re delighted to finally see who will be steering the ship as they go to the tie. “Everybody knows who John Antonas is. He’s a legend. So to have him as our captain is pretty special,” he said. “We’ve been putting in the work, so it’s time for us to do that and that is to play tennis and to get the job done.
“It’s really good to have a guy who played back in the 70s and has been a longtime coach to come and to be our captain. It’s good to have a captain who had the experience of being there when The Bahamas played at zone one.”
And Bowe, the fourth member of the team, said it’s an exciting time for them because “we know who our captain is now and so we’re just looking for the opportunity. “It’s truly a blessing to be able to work with a legend and to get his experience, his leadership and his advice. He played with my dad back in the day, so I hear so many stories. It’s good to finally get to work with him.”
Antonas said he hopes to have the players ready to perform by the time the tie rolls around in August.
Newton said the BLTA wishes them nothing but success.
FORMER veteran player/captain John Antonas, far left, has returned as captain of the youthful men’s national team that will head to Trinidad & Tobago for the Americas Zone
Four Davis Cup Tie from August 3-9.
Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
LEGENDARY POWERLIFTER AND HALL OF FAME
WWE WRESTLER MARK HENRY BRINGS HIS WORLD’S STRONGEST KIDS PROGRAMME TO NEW PROVIDENCE
By Jonathan Burrows
MORE than 50 kids gathered in the Seagrapes Plaza at Empire Fitness this past Friday as legendary powerlifter and Hall of Fame
WWE wrestler Mark Henry brought his World’s Strongest Kids programme to the local gym.
The event was designed to inspire, educate and empower children through strength training, mentorship and character development.
The young athletes were gathered for handson sessions, where Mark Henry led demonstrations, shared personal stories and encouraged participants to believe in their potential, both in the gym and in life.
The programme, part of Henry’s ongoing mission to build strong youth through physical fitness and life coaching, kicked off with warm-ups and moved straight into strength-based drills tailored for younger age groups.
What set the event apart was not just the focus on lifting but the emphasis on discipline, resilience and self-respect.
Henry, known for his record-breaking feats of strength, kept things fun but meaningful, constantly reinforcing the idea that being strong starts from the inside out.
Empire Fitness Gym
owner Dr Kent Bazard, a longtime supporter of youth outreach and sports development in The Bahamas, said hosting the programme was a great step in the strength development of the youth in The Bahamas by giving them a taste of a different type of strength training.
“It’s good for us coaches as well,” Bazard said on the many benefits of having a programme like World’s Strongest Kids in The Bahamas.
“A few of our local bodybuilders and lifters are here picking Mr Henry and his
coach’s brains for useful tips as well,” he also added. Bazard also emphasised that programmes such as this help to continue the fight against obesity in The Bahamas by building the foundation of the importance of being healthy and eating correctly and instilling these habits in the youth.
“We know that we struggle with obesity here in The Bahamas as we are number three in the world and number one in the region so having strong athletic kids helps combat those issues,” Bazard said.
Also in attendance were about 15 kids as a part of the baseball development programme Batter’s Box, offering them a unique opportunity to engage in elite-level strength and conditioning in a fun and inspiring environment.
Founded by Bahamian baseball athlete and coach Lyndon Wallace, the Batter’s Box was created to develop not just athletic skills but also character, confidence and discipline in youth through baseball.
Participation in programmes like World’s Strongest Kids reinforces the mission of the programme by exposing players to new physical challenges and also instilling the importance of strength training.
“Just getting the kids to learn the importance of strength conditioning because it can help prolong their careers and also carry benefits that will benefit them long term far beyond their careers that can help them in everyday life,” said Wallace.
He was commenting on one of the many reasons he brought kids from his programme to the World’s Strongest Kids programme.
The event also featured a surprise appearance by Bahamian pro wrestler Kaylia Capri, who brought her own story of grit and perseverance to
THE EVENT also featured a surprise appearance by Bahamian pro wrestler Kaylia Capri, who brought her own story of grit and perseverance to the World’s Strongest Kids Programme.
the programme. Capri, a blooming star in the international wrestling scene and current All Caribbean Wrestling champion, spoke to the kids about following their dreams and staying focused.
Her message hit home, especially for the young girls in attendance, as she inspired them to be the best that they can be in whatever they do. “We are here to teach these kids more about professional wrestling and
spark this new interest in The Bahamas,” Capri said when speaking about the goals of the programme.
“We want to give kids another avenue of sports other than the traditional sports like track (and field)
and basketball,” explained Capri.
From start to finish, the evening was filled with sweat, smiles and spirit and it’s safe to say that many young lifters left feeling stronger than they came in.
MARK Henry and Kaylia Capri share a special moment with the children.
Photos: Jonathan Burrows
A NUMBER of kids gathered in the Seagrapes Plaza at Empire Fitness this past Friday as legendary powerlifter and Hall of Fame WWE wrestler Mark Henry brought his World’s Strongest Kids Programme to the local gym.
By Jonathan Burrows
THE ropes shook and the crowd roared Saturday night at the Baha Mar resort Convention Center as All Caribbean Wrestling presented Baha Bash II for the fourth time in The Bahamas.
Spearheaded by WWE legend and Hall of Famer Mark Henry, the event brought high-octane action to the heart of The Bahamas and over 150 local wrestling fans.
Ten jaw-dropping matches kept fans on the edge of their seats, as local pride, international talent and island flair collided in what’s already been hailed as the most electrifying edition yet.
Below is a category-bycategory recap of the night’s matches and their respective winners.
Opening Match
Reggie Rythm defeats
Alex Arsenal
Grudge Matches
Jayme Jameson defeats
The Anti-Hero Davienne
Kenny King defeats The Villain Marty Scurll
Undercard Match
Rios De La Sangre
defeats Chandler Hopkins
Digital Media Title
Match
Izaiah Zane defeats
Leroy Jones
Pride Of Nations
Rumble
Trinidan defeats Delancy, Bruce Cross, Breeze DTA(Bahamas), Iseah Bronson, and Tito Colada
WWE ID Match
Gal Barkay and JTG - tie
due to a Time Limit Draw
ACW Tag Team Title
Match
Da Russell Twins defeat Baha Boyz
ACW Championship Match
Prince Agballah defeats
Elijah Burke
ACW Women’s
Championship Match
Kaylia Capri defeats Red Velvet
In the night’s headlining bout, Bahamian sensation
Kaylia Capri defended her ACW Women’s Championship belt in a hard-fought battle against American wrestling star Red Velvet.
Capri, who has fast become one of the faces of All Caribbean Wrestling, held her ground with fierce resilience after a rocky start, delivering a stunning performance to seal her victory and defend her title as champion.
Another historic moment came when the longreigning All Caribbean Wrestling champion Pope Elijah Burke was finally dethroned after an unprecedented 924-day title run,
Ten jaw-dropping matches keep fans on the edge of their seats JAKE
By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)
— Jake Paul appeared to be taking the biggest risk of his unique boxing career by stepping in the ring with Julio César Chávez Jr., a former middleweight champion and his most accomplished opponent by far. At least it seemed like a risk — until a lifeless Chávez meekly waited until the ninth round to mount any offence, dismaying a crowd desperate for him to hurt the famous YouTuber-turned-pugilist.
Paul shrugged it all off and rolled to another victory. After all, he’s the star of every show.
Paul beat Chávez by unanimous decision Saturday night, dominating the early rounds before weathering Chávez’s late rally for his sixth consecutive win.
Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) had little trouble from the
the longest in ACW history. His opponent, the towering Prince Agballah, stunned the crowd with a brutal combination of power and precision, ending Burke’s reign and crowning himself as the new champion.
In tag team action, the crowd was split as the popular Baha Boyz, hometown heroes, faced off against the fiery and technically sharp Russel Twins from Trinidad. Despite a strong showing and the full backing of the crowd, the Baha Boyz couldn’t hold off the defending champions, who walked away with the victory.
One of the driving forces behind the event’s success is Leonardo Dean, a world-renowned Bahamian
bodybuilder, current manager of tourism development, and one of the event’s lead organisers.
Dean, a longtime advocate for integrating sports and cultural events into the national tourism strategy, noted: “A lot of times the kids are only exposed to a limited amount of sports they see in school but now bringing new sports such as this to the country we have a new avenue of sports that kids can be exposed to and be involved in.”
The star-studded night also drew political and community leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Chester Cooper, who praised the event for its role in sports tourism and youth inspiration. Along with DPM Cooper, in attendance was sales and marketing specialist in the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Angelika Cartwright. Also in attendance was the current WWE promoter and head of the WWEID programme, Gabe Sapolsky.
From body slams to standing ovations, All Caribbean Wrestling delivered a powerful blend of sport, spectacle and island pride, proving once again that wrestling in The Bahamas isn’t just growing, it’s taking over.
39-year-old Chávez (54-72), controlling the majority of the bout in front of an ardently pro-Chávez crowd in Southern California.
“I love that he brought a good fight at the end, and I think the fans got a good fight to see him come out, put some punches on me,” Paul said. “It makes me better. I had to elevate tonight and rise to a different level. I’m glad the fans got to see me get punched in the face a little bit.”
Even with his famous father shouting furiously at ringside, Chávez fought tentatively and tepidly against Paul, who patiently controlled the ring and landed just enough to win rounds.
Chávez looked lifeless at the start, barely throwing a punch until late in the fourth round of their cruiserweight bout at Honda Center. Chávez first mounted a discernible attack in the sixth, and he delivered
several exciting shots in the ninth, finally exhibiting the skills of a long boxing career.
But he couldn’t seriously damage Paul, who jumped on the ropes in celebration after absorbing several flurries in the 10th and final round. The crowd booed Paul after the bell, and he cursed at them.
“All the boos are awards,” Paul said. “It was flawless. I think I only got hit about 10 times.”
The judges scored it 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 for Paul. The Associated Press also favoured Paul 97-93. Chávez, who had fought just once since 2021, is best known for failing to maximise the potential in his father’s genetics. He is still the most credible boxer to share the ring with Paul, who is now 5 1/2 years and 13 bouts into his lucrative fight career.
“I thought I lost the first five rounds, so I tried to win the last rounds,” Chávez
said. “He’s strong, a good boxer (for) the first three, four rounds. After that, I felt he was tired. I don’t think he’s ready for the champions, but he’s a good fighter.”
Paul has successfully leveraged his Internet ubiquity and his own hard work to become a force in the business of boxing, if not in traditionally important bouts. He has founded a busy promotional company and flirted with mixed martial arts while becoming arguably the most prominent combat sports athlete in the world.
But Paul had mostly fought mixed martial artists and fellow online celebrities, and he took his only loss in February 2023 when he stepped in against actual boxer Tommy Fury, whose fame also exceeds his ring skills.
“I don’t really care what people say at the end of the day, because every single time I just prove myself
more and more,” Paul said. “And that’s slowly turning the tide.”
Paul hadn’t fought since last November, when he beat Mike Tyson in a much-hyped bout that couldn’t live up to improbable expectations from fans who didn’t understand the simple realities of Tyson being 58 years old.
Chávez was away from the ring for three years before his return late last year, but Paul’s invitation brought him back again — along with the thousands of fans who eagerly bought tickets in perpetual support of their champion.
Chávez has fallen to innumerable lows during a lengthy boxing career conducted in the shadow of his father, one of the most beloved athletes in Mexican history.
The son has failed drug tests, served suspensions and egregiously missed weight while being widely criticised for his
intermittent dedication to the sport.
He still rose to its heights, winning the WBC middleweight title in 2011 and defending it three times.
Chávez shared the ring with generational greats Canelo Álvarez and Sergio Martinez, losing to both.
Chávez even lost in 2021 to Anderson Silva, the former UFC champion and rudimentary boxer who lost a one-sided ring decision to Paul one year later.
Paul’s career as the world’s most popular pugilistic sideshow could change soon: His financial potency makes it almost inevitable that he will be invited to fight under a sanctioning body’s aegis, which means he could likely book a bout against an elite boxer whenever he chooses.
“We’ll see,” Paul said when asked to name his next opponent.
“There’s a long line, so they’ve got to wait in line. Take a ticket.”
KAYLIA Capri pinning Red Velvet to win the title during the All Caribbean Wrestling’s Baha Bash II at the Baha Mar resort Convention Centre on Saturday night.
Photos: Jonathan Burrows
TRINIDADIAN Pride Of Nations Rumble Winner.
ELIJAH Pope Burke vs Prince Agballah.
CHISHOLM JR HOMERS IN 500TH REGULAR SEASON GAME, HAS THIRD-MOST HOMERS AND STEALS IN FIRST 500 GAMES
By LARRY FLEISHER Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. appeared in his 500th game and joined some select company.
Chisholm Jr homered into the second deck in right field Friday night to give the Yankees the lead in their 3-0 victory over the Athletics and giving him 89 career homers to go with 109 steals.
Chisholm Jr’s homer off Mitch Spence in the second inning gave him the thirdmost homers and steals within the first 500 career games, trailing Eric Davis (107 homers, 190 steals) and former Yankee Alfonso Soriano (97 homers, 121 steals).
Davis played his 500th game on September 15, 1988, for the Cincinnati Reds. He finished his career in 2001 as a member of the San Francisco Giants with career totals of 282 homers, 349 steals in 1,626 games.
“That’s pretty cool,”
Chisholm Jr said.
“I didn’t know that. I just be out there playing and having fun but the first time I met Eric Davis, he’s one of the favourite players I watched when I was a kid,”
Chisholm Jr said.
“So like watching his highlights and watching the way he plays, I feel like Byron Buxton is the closest person to him and watching Byron is just like watching E.D. (Eric Davis).”
Soriano played his 500th game on September 27,
2003, during his penultimate regular-season contest with the Yankees before being traded to Texas in the offseason for Alex Rodriguez.
Soriano finished his career in 2014 with the Yankees with totals of 412 homers and 289 steals in 1,975 games.
“I got to meet Alfonso in Miami,” Chisholm Jr said.
“I played with his little cousin.
“So for me talking about Alfonso and Eric and watching them as kids, those were the guys that I was kind of compared to in my swings even though (I’m) like small, (have) some power and some speed but yeah it’s kind of sick to have same accomplishments.”
NEW York Yankees’ Aaron Judge (99) and Jazz Chisholm Jr., right, celebrate after they
the Athletics in a baseball game yesterday in New York. (AP
After hitting Spen-
ce’s cutter, Chisholm Jr shrugged his shoulders as he rounded third and did a little shuffle before crossing the plate.
Chisholm Jr debuted September 1, 2020, for the
Miami Marlins and has 23 homers and 28 steals in 97 games for the Yankees, who acquired him last July 27 and moved him to third base.
Chisholm Jr’s homer marked the 12th time in
53 games. “I feel like me. I feel I’m back in my era, that I was younger just going out there and just hitting, just not worrying about stuff,” the 27-yearold said. “Just not worrying by my swing, not worrying about striding too far. Everything just feels good and I’m just going.”
After a four-RBI night against Boston in his fourth game back, Chisholm Jr made the unusual assertion
he was thriving by giving 70% effort and not stressing.
With New York seeking to reopen a 1 1/2-game AL East lead two days into the second half, he drove a firstpitch sinker from former Yankee Luis Severino into the right-field seats for a 1-0, second-inning lead.
Ever exuberant, he raised his right hand and made a peace sign toward the Yankees bullpen after rounding first. Chisholm Jr snagged Jacob Wilson’s two-hopper
his career he went deep in consecutive games. It also gave him five homers since returning from a right oblique strain June 3, including one that stopped the Yankees’ 30-inning scoreless streak on June 18.
with two on and one out in the third, bounded off third base for the forceout and balletically arced a throw to first for an inning-ending double play. With the the bases loaded in the the bottom half, Chisholm Jr hit a changeup to the right-centre gap that rolled past centre fielder Denzel Clarke. He pulled into third base standing up and raised three fingers.
“It’s like a blackout situation,” he said. “I didn’t even realise I put up three at third base.” With the bases loaded in the sixth, he made a diving stop near the dirt behind third on Luis Urías’ 102.1 mph smash popped up and followed with a one-hop throw to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.
Then he caught Tyler Soderstrom’s foul pop in the eighth inning while falling against netting in the narrow space next to the rolled up tarp.
“Jazz’s defence I think was better than even his day at the plate,” said pitcher Marcus Stroman, who won in his return from a 2 1/2month injury layoff. “He was incredible over there: a bunch of huge plays that helped me out in big spots, plays that are not normal plays.”
New York acquired Chisholm Jr from Miami last July 27 for three minor leaguers. Since then he’s hit .257 with 24 homers, 58 RBIs and 28 stolen bases in 99 games.
“His game’s so electric, and he can change the game and kind of affect the game in so many different ways in a dynamic fashion,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “So when he is playing at a high level, I think it does energise everyone.” Chisholm Jr briefly caused worry in the sixth. He grimaced in pain after stopping his swing at a 1-2 fastball from Elvis Alvarado, which sailed high and outside. Chisholm Jr went to the dugout and immediately up the tunnel to the clubhouse.
Then he reappeared at third base for the start of the seventh.
“The bat kind of slipped out of my hand and hit me on the finger,” he said. “It just hit the bone and when you get hit on the bone, it’s kind of funny, it just feels weird. So it was kind of scary at first, but we’re good.”
defeated
Photo/Adam Hunger)
NEW York Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Friday, June 27, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
‘JAZZ’
CHISHOLM JR
HAS 4 RBIS, JUDGE HOMERS TWICE TO REACH 30, AS YANKS BEAT ATHLETICS 12-5
NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge homered twice to reach 30 for the sixth time and Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. also drove in four runs as Marcus Stroman won in his first start for the New York Yankees since April, a 12-5 romp over the Athletics yesterday.
Judge hit two-run homers in the fourth inning off Luis Severino and in the seventh against fellow Fresno, California-area native Tyler Ferguson for his 44th multihomer game.
Cody Bellinger added a three-run drive for the Yankees, who took two of three from the A’s for only their second series win in 2 1/2 weeks.
Severino (2-9) was chased with a 7-0 deficit in his Yankee Stadium return, hurt by a leaky defence. He has given up 15 runs in two
starts against New York this year.
Chisholm Jr put the Yankees ahead in the second with his third homer in four games and boosted the lead with 4-0 with a bases-loaded triple in a four-run third.
Chisholm Jr is hitting .318 with six homers, 18 RBIs and four stolen bases since returning from strained right oblique on June 3.
He appeared to hurt his right hand while trying to check a swing in the sixth but stayed in the game.
Stroman (1-1), who had been sidelined by left knee inflammation, won for the first time since last August 30. He allowed three hits, including Willie MacIver’s fifth-inning homer.
Severino, a two-time AllStar for the Yankees from 2015-23, allowed seven runs — six earned — five hits, three walks, two hitter
batters, a wild pitch and two home runs.
Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe was ejected for the first time after an inning-ending strikeout in the eighth, by first base umpire Chad Fairchild.
Key moments Third baseman Max Muncy couldn’t see
Bellinger’s pop that fell in left for a hit in the first, and right fielder Lawrence Butler and second baseman Luis Urías knocked gloves on Trent Grisham’s thirdinning fly.
Centre fielder Denzel Clarke didn’t cut off Chisholm Jr’s third-inning hit, turning a double into a triple. Butler allowed Bellinger’s fourth-inning drive to sail just over his glove off the right-field wall and McIver, the catcher, dropped a sixth-inning foul pop.
Key stat Severino is 0-7 with a 6.79 ERA at home and 2-2 with a 3.23 ERA on the road.
Up next - Athletics: LHP Jacob Lopez (2-4, 3.56) starts tonight’s series opener at Tampa Bay, which goes with RHP Drew Rasmussen (7-5, 2.45). Yankees : LHP Carlos Rodón (9-5, 2.92) starts Monday’s series opener at Toronto against RHP Max Scherzer (0-0, 5.63).
NEW York Yankees’ Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. reacts after hitting a three-run scoring triple during the third inning of a baseball game against the Athletics yesterday in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
76ers welcome Bimini native Valdez ‘VJ’ Edgecombe Jr to the city of ‘Brotherly Love’
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
THE Philadelphia 76ers welcomed Bimini native Valdez ‘VJ’ Edgecombe Jr and fellow draftee Johni Broome to the city of “Brotherly Love” on Friday.
Edgecombe Jr, the third pick in the first round of the National Basketball Association’s 2025 Draft on Wednesday and Broome, the 35th pick overall in the second round on Thursday, were officially introduced to the media on Friday.
Edgecombe Jr, the 19-year-old shooting guard for the Baylor Bears where he earned the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award, said
head coach Nick Nurse and the rest of the staff have not given him any indication of what role he will play.
“The main thing, they told me I have to work for it. Just fit into what coach Nurse has going on,” said Edgecombe Jr. He noted that he met and only spoke briefly with Nurse, who is entering his second year as the head coach.
“I’m here to buy into whatever role - you know, we didn’t talk about that, to be honest - but whatever role they have me playing, I’m just willing to buy in.”
The 6-foot, 5-inch Edgecombe Jr said his first priority was to interact with the fans in Philadelphia and “find some good food.”
But he noted that once he settles in, his goal is to focus on the 76ers and his new team-mates. “Just getting to know the whole team. Just building relationships with them, because I’ll be playing with them,” he stated. “So just getting to know the whole team, and that’s the first thing I need to do.”
At Baylor, under head coach Scott Drew, Edgecombe Jr averaged 32.8 points per game, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists in the 33 games he played and was a starter.
Now as he ascends to the NBA where he will get to team up with Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and veteran Bahamian descendant Eric Gordon, as well as one of his idols small forward Paul
George and centre Joel Embiid, Edgecombe Jr admits that the work has just begun.
“(I want to) continue getting better. Just sit there - I’m a visual learner, so I just like to watch everyone else work out - I have the opportunity to watch even Johni or other players on the team just work out, I’ll do that,” he pointed out.
“I can learn from anybody. So it’s not just on the court or physical work. There’s a mental part of it, too.”
Edgecombe Jr entered into the 76ers with a little bit of exposure at the high level when he teamed up with Gordon, Chavano “Buddy” Hield from the Golden State Warriors and
centre Deandre Ayton from the Portland Trail Blazers as a member of the men’s national team. The Bahamas men’s team, coached by Warriors’ assistant coach Chris DeMarco, got to the final of the qualifying tournament for the 2024 Olympic Games in Valencia, Spain in July, only to fall short by losing to Spain, who went on to play at the Olympics in Paris, France.
Edgecombe Jr, who led The Bahamas’ team in scoring, will now prepare to display his skills on the 76ers’ Summer League team that will be coached by Matt Brase. The first will be the Salt Lake City Summer League where the 76ers will play
the Utah Jazz on July 5; Oklahoma City Thunder on July 7 and the Memphis Grizzlies on July 8. They will follow that with the Las Vegas Summer League when the 76ers play the San Antonio Spurs on July 10, the Charlotte Hornets on July 12, the Washington Wizards on July 15 and the Dallas Mavericks on July 16. The main objective, according to Edgecombe Jr, is to win before they head into training camp to start the NBA regular season in October where he hopes to help the 76ers improve on their dismal 13th position last year in the Eastern Conference and fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 24-58 win-loss record.
PHILADELPHIA 76ers’ Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe Jr, centre, poses with his jerseys alongside his family after taking questions from the media at a press conference at the NBA basketball team’s facility,
Friday, June 27, 2025, Camden, N.J.
(AP Photos/Chris Szagola)
PHILADELPHIA 76ers’ Johni Broome, right, and VJ Edgecombe, left, pose with their jerseys after taking questions from the media at a press conference at the NBA basketball team’s facility.
76ERS’ VJ Edgecombe takes questions from the media at a press conference at the