Bahamas surfing ‘making waves’
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
The Bahamas national surf team added a female to its returning core of three men for the 2025 World Surfing Games in Surf City, El Salvador, in two months. Christopher Albury, Joey Gale and Luke Prosa, all from Hope Town, Abaco, will be back from last year’s team that competed in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Joining them this year will be Lili Wagner, the lone female who hails from New Providence.
They will be competing in the games in Surf City, El Salvador, from September 5-14.
Tom Glucksmann, the acting president of the association, said he’s excited to be heading down with the team in the official coach’s role this year in El Salvador.
Last year in Puerto Rico, he noted that they all joined up in performing more informal roles.
ONE of the oldest basketball camps in the country will be back for its 37th annual edition from July 28 to August 8 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.
Jeff Rodgers, organiser of the Jeff Rodgers Summer Basketball Camp, noted this year’s camp for boys and girls ages five to 18 years old will be bigger and better than in the previous years with both old and new National Basketball Association players stopping in to share their experiences during the daily operation from 8am to 1pm.
“Our main expectations are to have fun, learn and make a heat,” he said. At last year’s games, Prosa had the best showing from the team as he advanced into the second repechage round. He just won the Battle at the Bay IV surf contest Sunday on Elbow Cay. Wagner, in making her first appearance, was a fourth-place finisher overall in the Eleuthera Summer Series surf comp held on Saturday near Gregory Town.
For Gale, it’s a great feeling to be on the national team again, even though he feels it’s not that popular of a sport in The Bahamas.
“There’s a lot of really good Bahamian surfers so to be selected for a top level contest is a big accomplishment,” he said. Gale said his expectations
and that of the whole team is to advance through more heats than last year. “It felt more like an introduction at last year’s contest,” he said. “We have a lot more
experience and confidence going into this year’s event, and I believe we’ll have a better showing. Unfortunately the waves haven’t been the greatest at home
FELLOWSHIP Mis-
sionary Baptist Church captured the Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation’s 2025 Co-Ed Volleyball Tournament championship title on Saturday. The one-day event took place at the CI Gibson Gymnasium. In going through the tournament undefeated, Fellowship Missionary held off Macedonia Baptist Church to win the title in three sets. Fellowship Missionary Baptist, coached by Othman Brown, secured a 25-17, 21-25 and 15-11 win over Macedonia, coached by Brent Stubbs, in a rematch of the final game in the preliminary round. Tavin Brown was named the most valuable player. He was assisted by Elvis Reckley, Maurrice Smith and Edjsnette Pierre. Macedonia by Tariq Pratt, Clifton Clasrke, Ashanti Evans and Sharon Evans.
It was a double dose of victory for Fellowship Missionary as they held off Macedonia 21-20, 18-21 and 15-13 in the final game of the preliminary round to enable both teams to advance to the championship game.
While Fellowship Missionary clinched their berth by remaining undefeated, Macedonia got the other spot by out-scoring Salem Union Baptist and Golden Gates based on the points spread. Results
recently, I’ve been surfing and practicing when I can, but I try to keep active everyday. I race on the
“Magic Johnson’s brother, Larry, will open the camp on Monday,” Rodgers said. “He will give some pep talk with the campers and talk about his relationship with Magic.
“He’s involved in these programmes in the United States which are used to uplift young people. So we are happy that he will be here to get the camp started by motivating and uplifting our young people.”
During the final week of the camp, Rodgers said Mychal “Sweet Bells” Thompson, the first Bahamian and first foreign player drafted as the number one pick in the NBA 1978 draft, will be here to share in the camp, along with his sons, including Klay Thompson of the Dallas Mavericks.
Muggsy Bogues, who was probably the most successful player in the NBA at his height of 5-feet, 3-inches, along with Grand
DENYCKO BOWLES ELITE CAMP STAGES AWARD CEREMONY
The ceremony opened with a spirited welcome and expressions of gratitude to families and supporters who helped make the camp possible.
Following was a stirring address from the Minister of Education Glenys Hanna-Martin, who praised the young athletes for their dedication and potential.
“I want to recognise and
THE Fox Hill Community Center was a hub of pride, promise and celebration yesterday evening as hundreds of young athletes, parents, and community members gathered for the Denycko Bowles Elite Camp award ceremony. The event, celebrating its 12th year, recognised the outstanding achievements of campers who have spent the past weeks honing their athletic skills, discipline and leadership under the guidance of coaches and mentors.
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.
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By Jonathan Burrows
HUNDREDS OF YOUNG ATHLETES, PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS GATHER FOR THE DENYCKO BOWLES ELITE CAMP AWARD CEREMONY
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thank coach Bowles because he’s passionate about these young men, and that’s why he does what he does, and that’s why this has been sustained over the past 12 years,” said HannaMartin. “Mentorship is needed with the young men of this country, and we need to offer our support to them.
“And that’s why I’m thankful for people like coach Bowles,” she added. Founder and camp director Denycko Bowles, a respected local coach and former athlete, also addressed the audience with heartfelt remarks. Speaking directly to the campers and their parents, Bowles emphasised the importance of consistency, character and community building.
“This camp is about more than just sports, it’s about building young men and women who are strong mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
“I want every camper here to leave knowing that you are capable of greatness, but greatness takes work, every single day,” Bowles said.
Bowles expressed deep appreciation to coaching staff, volunteers and community partners who made the camp possible. As the evening unfolded, the awards were presented.
-
sented as follows: Division 11-12 MVP, Denargio Munroe, and Most Improved, Skykar Benaby
Bahamas national surfing team adds a lady to its returning core for World Surfing Games in El Salvador
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Bahamian sloops from Abaco, so sailing those have been keeping me in shape and connected to the ocean.” Gale, 24, only started competing last year, but he’s pleased with the progress he’s made so far.
“My dad also went to the World Surfing Games in the early 2000s so hearing his stories inspired me to try out contest surfing,” said Gale, a mechanic/delivery person for a boat rental company.
Albury, said it’s another great opportunity to represent the 242 to the world.
“I love my country. I love The Bahamas dearly,” he said. “It’s always an honour. The first time, we got the experience. So it’s more of an honour to represent my country.”
Despite the fact that he has had to deal with his job as a bartender by night and a home caretaker by day, Albury said he still tries to find the time to fit in a training regimen to get ready for the games. “Seeing the
competition last year after we never did it before, this time it won’t be choatic,” he said. “We know that there will be some stiff competition there, but we are confident that we will do very well.
“We have been working hard, talking to each other every day. Everybody is training and getting ready. We don’t make any money from it, but we now enjoy competing and representing our country.”
Albury, who just turned 28 on April 11, said that
at the age of 10, he was inspired by watching his cousin, Eric Bernard - the first “black” surfer on the island - competing on the water and ever since he knew it was a sport for him to compete in. Although she’s not the first female to represent The Bahamas at the games, Wagner, a 27-year-old boat captain and dive instructor, said she’s delighted to be going this time around. “I’m very, very excited. I spent the last 12 months training very hard in different places
around the world, which has been very nice,” she said. “So I’m excited to represent The Bahamas.”
As this will be her maiden voyage on the global stage for The Bahamas, Wagner said the expectations are just to go out and compete.
“My goal is to have a clean heat and not have any penalties,” she projected.
“But I’m excited to meet surfers from all over the world on the global stage,” she added.
With the assistance from her personal coach from
Division 13-14 MVP, Kazani Russel, and Most Improved, Ranly Richard Division 15 - 18 MVP, Daniel Hepburn, and Most Improved, Dominic Bain Proud parents applauded as their children took the stage, beaming with pride and clutching trophies and certificates.
Costa Rica, Wagner said she’s been doing a lot of land-based training, but she intends to take a trip to Nicaragua just before the games to get some practice on the Pacific side.
As for Team Bahamas, Wagner said she’s privileged to surf along with the more experienced male competitors and she hopes to lean on their expertise to help pull her through the competition.
She’s even thrilled to be reuniting with Glucksmann, who served as the director for a summer camp she attended about 15 years ago in Eleuthera. After that, she spent about 10 years there
SPORTS CALENDAR
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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.
FUNERAL WINSTON MARSHALL
PLANS have been revealed for the memorial and funeral service for the late Winston Marshall. A wake is scheduled for 7pm Friday, July 25 at #32 Thompson & Trinity Lane, Stapledon Gardens. The funeral service will be held 10am on Saturday, July 26 at St Matthew’s Anglican Church on Shirley and Church Streets.
VOLLEYBALL CORRECTION
IT was incorrectly stated in Monday’s edition of The Tribune that the Alpha Kappa Alpha won the men’s title of the “Get Your Spike On” Volleyball Tournament at the DW Davis Gymnasium on Saturday.
The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity actually won the tournament and not
chasing “waves” before she took a journey around the world over the past two years surfing.
The ISA World Surfing Games is expected to attract over 50 countries with some of the world’s top surfers competing. Glucksmann said last year in Puerto Rico, The Bahamas finished 41st out of 51 countries with just three men competing.
“We anticipate climbing the rankings with a bigger team this year,” he said. They are seeking to gain their official recognition from the Bahamas Olympic Committee, as the governing body for the sport in The Bahamas.
the Alpha Kappa Alpha. It was also stated that all of the sororities attended, as quoted by Jayde Knowlesone of the organisers - but it was all of the fraternities who did.
The Tribune apologises for the errors.
ASSISTANCE CHARLTON BARRIER BREAKERS FOUNDATION
THE Devynne Charlton Barrier Breakers Foundation is offering emergency assistance to athletes needing assistance with travel and/or accommodations for the upcoming Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Senior Nationals, scheduled for August 1-2.
Interested athletes are urged to contact Laura Pratt-Charlton for more information and to apply for support. The email contact is dcbarrierbreakers@ gmail.com and the phone contact is 357-3109.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS RAFFLE GRILL FUN DAY
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.
LILI WAGNER, far right, prepares for her heat in the Eleuthera Summer Series on July 19 near Gregory Town, Eleuthera.
SHOWN are Chris Albury, Joey Gale, Luke Prosa and Noah Albury during the Battle at the Bay IV on Elbow Cay, Abaco.
CHRIS Albury in action on the high seas of Abaco. LUKE Prosa throws a turn while surfing in Eleuthera.
‘AN IMPRESSIVE SHOWING’ FOR BAHAMIAN BLACK BELT MARTIAL ARTIST ANTONIEZ HIGGS JR
By Jonathan Burrows
BAHAMIAN black belt
martial artist Antoniez Higgs Jr, 25, had an impressive showing at the prestigious International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) U.S. Open Martial Arts Championships, held at the Disney Springs Resort ballroom in Orlando over the weekend.
Competing against thousands of top-tier international talent, Higgs showcased his skill, discipline and determination, placing 1st in Point Sparring and 2nd in Clash Sparring in the adult divisions.
Higgs began his martial arts journey at the age of six at the Four Winds School of Kung Fu under the guidance of sifu Cedric Miller and sifu Lyndon French. His early foundation laid the groundwork for a lifetime of dedication to the craft.
In 2020, he earned his first-degree black belt in kung fu and karate from the Four Winds School, followed by his second-degree black belt in 2022.
He later continued his training at the Black Lotus Empire School, founded by his father, Antoniez Higgs Sr, where he earned another first-degree black belt, broadening his style and approach to martial arts.
The ISKA US Open is one of the world’s largest and most recognised martial arts tournaments, drawing elite competitors from around the globe.
Higgs competed in two divisions - Clash Sparring and Point Sparring.
In Clash Sparing, a highintensity format judged by three officials who determine the most dominant and aggressive fighter, Higgs finished a strong second.
In Point Sparring, a match format where fighters are awarded points for clean punches and kicks in a battle to reach 11 points, Higgs triumphed with a first-place finish, marking a major milestone in his competitive career. The Bahamas was well represented at the tournament, with multiple
schools joining the international stage. Among them were Bahamas Tong Dojo, Smokey’s Karate School, and the Bahamas Center for
who were over the age of 18 from The Bahamas in competition, alongside
Treyon Smith of Smokey’s Karate School, who also represented the country with pride. “My goal is to be a grand champion and
trophies.
start my own martial arts school in the future,” said Higgs on his future goals in the sport. “Karate is bigger than people think. It was surprising to come over here for the tournament and see thousands of spectators. It’s also really fun and provides a lot of opportunities that people don’t know about,” Higgs added. With his continued growth and commitment to the discipline, Higgs is poised to become one of The Bahamas’ brightest martial arts ambassadors on the world stage.
‘One of the oldest’ basketball camps in The Bahamas will be back for its 37th annual edition
Bahamian superstar
Chavano “Buddy” Hield of the Golden State Warriors, and Calvin Mack, are just some of the names who are also expected to attend the camp. A number of persons will be in attendance for the final day of the camp when a celebrity game, featuring some of the former NBA players against some of the local superstars, will
be played. As perhaps the oldest camp on record in The Bahamas, Rodgers said he has been able to provide an avenue for so many young people to develop their skills, both locally and internationally.
He noted that he didn’t know that Kai Jones, now in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks, attended his camp until he told Bogues, who is now a part of the Charlotte Hornets’ organisation, that he actually
grew up participating in the camp. “Deandre (Ayton, the number one pick in the 2022 NBA draft now with the Los Angeles Lakers) also attended the camp before he went off for high school in the US,” Rodgers said. “Even when I look at the personnel who are operating the camp, they were also members of the camp. Mitch Johnson, for example, is the number instructor, but he participated in the camp before he
went off to college and then played in the G-League.”
Now living in New York where he’s a part of the Ministry of Tourism’s Sports Tourism Board, Rodgers said he’s developed so much contact that he utilises it to bring down to share in his camp.
“The camp is more than just teaching fundamental skills,” he said. “It’s about the spiritual skills and their life skills that we teach them. It’s more than just
basketball. “So I’m even motivated and encouraged to do the camp with all of these people who are willing to come in and lend their support to the camp. Rodgers said the campers can look forward to hearing a lot of stories of what it takes to become a NBA player but, more importantly, what it takes to get a good college education in the event that the pro ranks don’t pan out. “We also give them some information on
how to manage and conduct themselves in what I call this dark world. There’s a lot of things going on out there in the world,” Rodgers said. “So it’s important for them to leave the negative things and engage in providing things and use their brains to survive. Social media is killing so many of our young people, so we want to discourage them from taking the wrong path in life.”
CHRIS PAUL RETURNS TO CLIPPERS FOR WHAT’S EXPECTED TO BE HIS 21ST AND FINAL NBA SEASON
By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Chris Paul is rejoining the Los Angeles Clippers for what’s expected to be the point guard’s 21st and final NBA season.
The team confirmed yesterday afternoon that Paul had signed. He led the Clippers to the playoffs in each of his six seasons in Los Angeles.
“Chris is one of the most impactful players ever to wear a Clippers uniform and it’s appropriate that he returns to the team for this chapter of his career,” Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, said in a statement.
Paul, a 12-time All-Star, was a free agent after playing all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs last season, becoming the first NBA player to do so in his 20th season or later. He averaged 8.8 points and 7.4
assists while shooting 43% from the floor. Paul had stated that he wanted to play the upcoming season close to his family, which lives in Los Angeles. He joins a veteran roster that includes new additions guard Bradley Beal, forward John Collins and centre Brook Lopez, as well as Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
“Chris will help fortify our backcourt with his exceptional ballhandling, playmaking and shooting,” Frank said yesterday.
Paul played six seasons for the Clippers during their “Lob City” era with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. He made five All-Star teams from 2012 to 2017 and his 4,023 assists are still the most in franchise history. He averaged 18.8 points, 9.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals in 409 games.
Denver in seven games in the first
“He
2,800 minutes last season at age 35 in his 16th NBA season. They view Paul as insurance against injuries that typically impact a roster during an 82-game season, plus the playoffs.
“Role awareness, especially in this next roster spot, will be critical,” Frank said.
Martial Arts. Higgs stood out as one of only two black belts
ANTONIEZ Higgs Jr with his
ANTONIEZ HIGGS JR, right, and Treyon Smith after a fight.
SAN Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul sits on the Cleveland Cavaliers bench before an NBA basketball game, April 4, 2025, in San Antonio.
Photo/Darren Abate)
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BAHAMIAN NBA star Mychal Thompson and Jeff Rodgers. JEFF Rodgers and Chavano “Buddy” Hield.
JEFF Rodgers and Mychal Thompson talk to Buddy Hield.
VENUS WILLIAMS WINS A DOUBLES MATCH AT WASHINGTON IN HER FIRST TOURNAMENT IN MORE THAN A YEAR
By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) —
Competing at a tournament for the first time in more than a year, and in doubles for the first time in nearly three, Venus Williams hit a big serve on her initial delivery at the DC Open yesterday and, curiously, it was wiped out by a footfault call.
The 45-year-old Williams, an owner of 21 Grand Slam titles across singles and doubles, smiled incredulously, as did the other three players involved in the match in front of a full crowd that eventually included NBA star Kevin Durant.
And then Williams carried on, displaying her trademark power on some strokes while teaming with Hailey Baptiste for a 6-3, 6-1 victory against 2014 Wimbledon runner-up Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue.
“It’s just nice to be able to play. Where I am at this year is so much different where I was at last year. It’s
night and day, being able to be here and prepare for the tournament as opposed to preparing for surgery a year ago,” said Williams, who spoke in an interview with NBC earlier this month about having a procedure to remove fibroids from her uterus. “At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter if your health is not there. So it definitely put it in perspective for me and maybe made it easier to make the decision to maybe come back out here and maybe play even freer.”
Her most recent match had been at the Miami Open in March 2024, and she said Sunday she had two goals in Washington: to have fun and to win.
She did both — winning, yes, and contributing plenty to the cause, but also having a good time, high-fiving or fist-bumping Baptiste after some of their best points, laughing after others and waving to an appreciative group of fans that roared over and over for Williams. She and Baptiste hugged when it ended.
“The crowd was insane. From the moment we stepped out of the players area, you could kind of feel the buzz. Walking onto the court, just felt all the love for the both of us,” said Baptiste, a 23-year-old from
Washington. “I was obvi-
ously very nervous to play with her.
“I didn’t want to let her down, first match back and everything.”
It was full at 3,000-seat
John Harris Court, where
Durant showed up late in the first set, while across the way at the 7,500-capacity main stadium, only a few dozen spectators were scattered in the stands for an all-American singles match in which Reilly Opelka defeated Murphy Cassone.
Asked to comment about the court assignments, tournament director Daniel Vallverdú said: “The tournament works to balance full singles and doubles ATP and WTA schedules, while coordinating with broadcaster requests for court assignments.”
When Williams, wearing a white visor as she so often has, was introduced before participating in doubles for the first time since the 2022 U.S. Open — when her partner was younger sister Serena — the stadium announcer mentioned that Venus has “one of the best serves in the history of the game,” that she “turned pro in the last century” and “has won everything.”
That includes seven major singles trophies — five at Wimbledon, two
at the U.S. Open — and an additional 14 in doubles with Serena, plus four Olympic gold medals.
“She’s 14 years older than me and still plugging away,” said Bouchard, 31, a former top-five player who announced that next week’s tournament in Montreal will be the last of her career. “I have nothing but respect for her. She’s such a legend. That was a pretty cool crowd for a doubles match.”
They sure were into it Monday, standing with phone cameras raised high when Venus first appeared at the court — and again when it ended.
There will be other opportunities to see her this week: In singles, Williams was scheduled to play tonight against Peyton Stearns, a 23-year-old American currently ranked No. 35 who won NCAA singles and team championships at the University of Texas.
“I have been training for months to get to this moment,” Williams said.
Italy one win away from women’s Euro final, three years after players were permitted to turn pro
By DANIELLA MATAR AP Sports Writer
ITALY is one win away from reaching the final of the Women’s European Championship, but just three years ago its players couldn’t even get professional contracts in their own country. Little wonder veteran captain Cristiana Girelli was in tears after her two goals inspired Italy to a 2-1 victory over Norway last week.
And a first semifinal appearance at the tournament in 28 years.
The Azzurre next plays defending champion England today in Geneva.
“It’s a great joy to be among the top four in Europe and it is a happiness that we want to share because we know how important it is to bring home the results in Italy and especially for the new generations,” Girelli said, after again wiping the tears from her eyes.
“Because obviously we do this for our glory but there is a much deeper meaning, which we certainly want to bring, which is that in Italy women can play soccer too.”
Of course they can, although they couldn’t hope to make a lot of money for it until 2022 after years of amateur-only status.
It was in April of that year that the executive board of the sport’s national federation approved new regulations to open the way for a women’s professional era starting July 1 — in time for the following Serie A season.
A 1981 Italian law had limited female players to amateur status.
This meant they couldn’t earn more than 30,000 euros ($32,000) per year before taxes.
‘Difficult years’ The 35-year-old Girelli and many of her national teammates have experienced the change firsthand, with several of them having had to do hospitality jobs to support their soccer careers.
“There were difficult years where we really suffered a lot,” Girelli said.
The push to make the women’s game professional in Italy followed the national team’s surprise run to the quarterfinals of the 2019 Women’s World Cup. It was also helped by the big clubs — Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Roma and Lazio — starting to invest more in their women’s teams.
Benefits such as social security contributions, an end-of-career fund, pension, medical protection for injuries and maternity leave were a distant dream.
Progress has been slower than in the countries of its traditional soccer rivals — such as England, France and Spain — but Italy is showing signs that it is catching up on the international stage.
‘Something magical’
Under coach Andrea Soncin, Italy is proving it can go toe-to-toe with the top teams, culminating in its first semifinal match at the European tournament since a run to the 1997 final.
“It’s something magical,” Girelli said.
“But to tell you the truth I have felt something special in the air since I arrived in Switzerland, since the coach took charge of this team I felt something special.
“And you know, women are never wrong with their
feelings,” she continued with a wry smile.
While it hasn’t quite reached fever pitch back home, 2.4 million television viewers in Italy — a 16.2 per cent audience share — watched the team’s match against Norway and that’s likely to be even more for the semifinals.
“We hope this love, this affection, this atmosphere that’s coming to us from Italy doesn’t disappear,” Girelli said. “I really hope that with all my heart because we struggled to get here.
“We’ve reached something amazing, something extraordinary.
“And however it goes, I really hope it continues to feed this passion, this love for us.”
SOCCER players and staff from Italy celebrate their victory after the Women’s Euro 2025 quarterfinals soccer match between Norway and Italy at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)
ITALY’s Cristiana Girelli (10) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the Women’s Euro 2025 quarterfinals soccer match against Norway at Stade de Geneve in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)
HAILEY BAPTISTE, top left, and Venus Williams top right, compete during a doubles match against Eugenie Bouchard, bottom right, and Clervie Ngounoue, bottom left, at the Citi Open tennis tournament yesterday.
VENUS Williams reaches for the ball during a doubles match with Hailey Baptiste against Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue at the Citi Open tennis tournament yesterday in Washington. (AP Photos/Nick Wass)
Manny Pacquiao’s comeback falls short as Barrios retains WBC welterweight title in majority draw
By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Manny Pacquiao pushed back against his doubters, the odds and even Father Time on Saturday night — and nearly made some history.
But Pacquiao, in the end, fell just short on the judges’ scorecards as Mario Barrios escaped with a majority draw to retain the WBC welterweight championship. Two judges scored the bout a draw, and judge Max DeLuca awarded Barrios a 115-113 victory.
The Associated Press scored the fight 115-113 in favour of Pacquiao.
“I thought I won the fight,” Pacquiao said.
Barrios landed more total punches (120-101), according to Compubox, but Pacquiao had the edge in power shots (81-75).
Pacquiao, enshrined into the International Boxing Hall of Fame last month, was trying to break his own record for oldest welterweight champion. He was 40 when he emerged in 2019 split decision over Keith Thurman. This also was his first appearance in the ring in nearly four years for the 46-year-old Filipino, a loss by unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugás.
Barrios, a 30-year-old from San Antonio, was a -275 favourite at BetMGM Sportsbook. He hoped to bounce back from a splitdecision draw on November 15 against Abel Ramos, but didn’t exactly come away with an emphatic victory
in improving to 29-2-2. The heavily pro-Pacquiao crowd loudly booed the decision.
“It was an honour to share the ring with him,” Barrios said. “This is by far the biggest event I’ve had to date, and we came in here and left everything in
the ring. I have nothing but respect for Manny.
“His stamina is crazy. He’s still strong as hell and his timing is real. He’s still a very awkward fighter to try to figure out.”
Pacman (62-9-2) moved swiftly around the ring from the beginning, often looking more like the younger champion who captured 12
world titles in eight divisions. He began to be take control in the seventh, lantding several big left hands to win the following three rounds on two cards and two on the other.
“I didn’t think the fight was getting away from me, but I knew I had to step it up to solidify a win,” Barrios said.
Both sides they would be interested in a rematch.
But Barrios was the better fighter at the end, coming out more aggressive knowing he might be in trouble with the judges. All three, in fact, awarded Barrios each of the final three rounds.
Sebastian Fundora (231-1, 15 KOs) retained his WBC super welterweight title when Tim Tszyu (25-3) didn’t come out for the eighth round in the co-main event.
“I hope this is an inspiration to boxers that if you have discipline and work hard you can still fight at this age,” Pacquiao said.
Fundora floored Tszyu with a left hand in the first round and dominated the action with 118 power punches, according to Compubox, by repeatedly backing down the Australian.
“I’m the bigger guy,” said Fundora, who led 69-63 on all three judges’ cards.
“Everyone says I’m a bully in the ring, so I thought I should start really bullying these guys. I just kept working on aggression my whole career and we’ve just been adding.”
It was a big week for Fundora, who was accepted into Harvard and then won the rematch with Tszyu.
The first fight on March 30, 2024 was much closer, with Fundora emerging with a split-decision victory. The Coachella, California, resident also had been the WBO champion, but that organisation stripped him of his belt for not fighting mandatory challenger Xander Zayas.
MANNY PACQUIAO, left, fights Mario Barrios in a welterweight title boxing match Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photos/John Locher)
MARIO BARRIOS, left, fights Manny Pacquiao in a welterweight title boxing match on Saturday.
TIM TSZYU, right, reacts after being knocked down by Sebastian Fundora, left, in a super welterweight title boxing match Saturday, July 19, 2025, in Las Vegas.
MARIO BARRIOS, left, and Manny Pacquiao take a photo after fighting to a majority draw in Las Vegas.
SEBASTIAN Fundora celebrates after winning the boxing match.
Uncertainty continues for Fever and Caitlin Clark
By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer Her
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)
— The Indiana Fever thought Caitlin Clark’s return might solve their wild first-half ride. They were getting healthy, beating good teams and starting to meet expectations.
Then the two-time AllStar got hurt again in the final minute of last Tuesday’s game at Connecticut. Indiana lost by double digits the next night to defending champion New York.
Clark missed last weekend’s All-Star festivities in Indianapolis and is likely to sit out tonight when the Fever again play the Liberty. It’s all creating uncertainty about Clark and Indiana’s championship aspirations.
“These soft tissue injuries sometimes nag until you can actually have time to really allow them to heal in the offseason,” Indiana coach Stephanie White said after Sunday’s practice. “So we’ll just take it one day at a time and we’ll continue, as a group, to progress together.” Neither White nor Clark have provided a timetable for Clark’s return.
As a rookie, Clark helped the Fever snap a six-year playoff drought and during the three-game winning streak before her latest injury, she had 40 points, 29 assists, six steals and 10 turnovers in 79 minutes.
Her name and that of the league’s other superstars have packed arenas
healthy teammates carry their playoff hopes
and been the focal point of broadcast deals.
Amid a rash of injuries, the WNBA needs its top players on the court more than ever. According to The Next, which tracks injuries in the league, there have been more than 140 injuries so far this season.
MEESSEMAN WILL JOIN JONQUEL AND LIBERTY IN HER RETURN TO THE WNBA, AP SOURCE SAYS
By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Emma Meesseman, the 2019 WNBA Finals MVP who last played in the league in 2022, is joining the New York Liberty, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press yesterday.
The timing of the arrival of the 32-year-old from Belgium in the U.S. will be determined by how long it takes to get her visa, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because no official announcement has been made.
ESPN first reported Meesseman’s decision.
The two-time All-Star, who helped the Washington Mystics win the 2019 title, has been focused on leading the Belgium national team since her last season in the WNBA, which she spent with the Chicago Sky.
Meesseman played with Natasha Cloud, whom New York acquired in the offseason, in Washington when the Mystics won their championship six years ago.
Meesseman helped Belgium win the EuroBasket title last month to qualify for next year’s World Cup.
She joins a stacked New York team with Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu that won its first championship last year. The 6-foot-4 forward also considered Minnesota and Phoenix.
The Liberty currently sit second in the standings, 3 1/2 games behind the Lynx.
Meesseman has dominated overseas in her time away from the WNBA.
She was named the EuroBasket MVP twice in the past three years.
And she helped Belgium reach the medal round at the Paris Olympics before it lost to France in overtime in the semifinals and then Australia in the bronzemedal game.
Those numbers fed into last weekend’s debate over whether league officials should consider extending the season next year now that teams are playing 44 games instead of 40. “I feel there’s been quite a few injuries over the course of the beginning of this season for quite a few people,” Clark said Saturday, noting some injuries created minutes restrictions for other All-Star selections. “A lot of people have been in the same boat as myself.”
to deal with Clark’s third absence this season, so far resulting in 10 missed games.
Clark did not miss a single game in college or her rookie season with the Fever.
Indiana has maintained a winning record (12-11) and playoff positioning despite the injuries.
The Fever were also able to win the Commissioner’s Cup over Minnesota with a 74-59 win without Clark.
New York signed Australian forward Stephanie Talbot earlier yesterday. She was waived by Golden State last week.
Simply extending the season creates yet another problem — competing against the NFL and college football telecasts deeper into September. That’s something that could be resolved in a new collective bargaining agreement.
Until then, though, Indiana must learn
The team also overcame the departure of DeWanna Bonner, who lost her starting job after three games and played in only nine before being waived and returning to Phoenix.
And, of course, it took time for everyone to get on the same page following a massive offseason overhaul that included the hiring of a new general manager, Amber Cox; the return of White — Indiana’s original No. 22; and the addition of
other players with title-winning experience.
“I think it’s been a rollercoaster ride with peaks and valleys, injuries, switching lineups,” three-time AllStar guard Kelsey Mitchell said. “I think that’s part of being a professional athlete. But I think you need to go through things like this to be one of the teams they talk about at the end of the season.”
The Fever believes it still can be one of those teams.
With Mitchell leading Indiana in scoring at 19.1 points per game and AllStar centre Aliyah Boston showcasing a niftier passing game to go along with averages of 15.8 points and 7.6 rebounds, Indiana still has two of its foundational pillars on the court. Indiana also has more options such as forward Natasha Howard and
backup guard Sophie Cunningham to help fill in the gaps until Clark returns.
“Consistency, attention to detail, making sure defensively we’re a beast unit,” Cunningham said as she identified other needed fixes. “I think it all starts on the defensive end with our intensity and our aggressiveness. When we do that, we tend to win those ballgames. You’re going to have a little bit of slippage every now and then, but you can’t have landslides.” Ultimately, though, the lingering question is whether Clark can stay healthy long enough to push Indiana into championship position.
“Working your way back into it is really difficult,” White said. “She has to give herself some grace. She’s coming back from an injury.”
INDIANA Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell (0) puts up a shot against Atlanta Dream’s Brittney Griner during the second half of a WNBA basketball game on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
CAITLIN Clark (22) grabs a rebound beside teammate Aliyah Boston (7) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun on July 15 in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
INDIANA Fever’s Caitlin Clark sits on the bench after an apparent injury during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
