THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021 11

Benzema volley pegs back Chelsea Djiroun to return against to leave semi-final in the balance Patterson at BRAVE CF 51 Ylies Djiroun will meet Sam Patterson in pivotal Lightweight bout in Belarus

Ylies Djiroun will look• to go 2 for 2 and position himself as one of the top Lightweights 6’3’’ in the organization (193cm) is the height of Real Madrid’s French forward Karim Benzema (CL) vies with Chelsea’s Danish Sam Patterson, who is one defender Andreas Christensen TDT | Manama of the tallest athletes in the Lightweight division AFP | Madrid By the time the Belgian en- worldwide tered the contest, it was drift- wo of the most exciting ing, the early adrenaline lost, European fighters on the arim Benzema came to with both teams seemingly TBRAVE Combat Federa- KReal Madrid’s rescue content to defer to the return tion roster will collide on June the first round in a fight that again on Tuesday, his acrobatic leg at Stamford Bridge next 4th, as the fastest-growing MMA many predicted would be a volley earning them a 1-1 draw Wednesday. organization in the world has war. against an impressive Chel- Benzema’s goal was his 71st announced that Ylies Djiroun Before Felipe, Patterson sea side in the first leg of the in the Champions League, will face off against Sam Pat- earned another huge victory Champions League semi-final. making him the joint-fourth terson in what promises to be as he outstruck Cian Cowley Christian Pulisic grabbed top scorer in the competi - a very important bout for the en route to a third round stop- Chelsea a deserved away goal tion’s history with Raul, be- future of the division. They are page win at BRAVE CF 33. After in a soaking wet contest at hind only Cristiano Ronaldo, set to meet at BRAVE CF 51: The traveling to Jordan, Bahrain, Valdebebas but they might re- Lionel Messi and Robert Le- Future Is Here, which will be and Saudi Arabia for fights, Sam gret not pulling away, with the wandowski. hosted in association with Rukh will make his European debut struggling Timo Werner again When Real Madrid were Sports Management. in Belarus. missing a golden chance. suffering, and in the absence Fresh off a monumental vic- BRAVE CF 51 will take place It means Madrid will be of the injured Sergio Ramos, tory on his promotional debut, at the Falcon Club, in Minsk, satisfied too, after recovering Benzema was the one dragging French-Algerian Ylies Djiroun Belarus, on June 4th. The his- from a chastening opening half his team back into this match, will look to go 2 for 2 on June toric first BRAVE CF show in an hour before Benzema’s bril- at times through sheer force 4th and position himself as one Confirmed bouts for BRAVE CF 51: the country will be headlined liance left the tie in the bal- of will. of the top Lightweights in the Lightweight: Lucas Martins vs Marcel Grabinski by another huge Lightweight ance. With Werner clearly short of organization. ‘’Broly’’ came in bout with former world cham- Eden Hazard was given 24 confidence, the Frenchman’s with a lot of expectations on Super Welterweight: Denis Maher vs Giannis Bachar pion Lucas ‘’Mineiro’’ Martins minutes off the bench against precision at the other end his shoulder as the 18-6 fight- Lightweight: Ylies Djiroun vs Giannis Bachar taking on Marcel Grabinski. In his former club but despite could yet prove the difference. er submitted Abdul-Rakhman the co-main event, Belarusian some twinkling touches, he “We should have won the Makhazhiev in the main event Patterson. ‘’The Future’’, one coming off a career-defining hero Denis Maher makes his was unable to add a late twist. first half,” said Chelsea coach of BRAVE CF 48. of the tallest athletes in the victory of his own. At BRAVE much-anticipated promotional “It’s always good to play Thomas Tuchel. “We should Now he will have a different Lightweight division worldwide CF 41, he knocked out expe - debut against Greek striker Gi- against friends,” Hazard told have scored at least one test in front of him with Sam (standing at 6’3’’ or 193cm), is rienced striker Felipe Silva in annis Bachar. BT Sport afterwards. more.”

Winning Olympic gold Petecio’s ultimate dream Mau and Valdez skip national team tryouts TDT | TDT | Manila

t’s a dream come true for rized Filipino-American INesthy Petecio to be able Poutside hitter Kalei Mau to punch a ticket to the has decided to skip the Philip- Olympics in July. pine women’s volleyball team “This is the highest dream of tryouts which started yesterday every athlete,” said the 29-year- until tomorrow due to travel old Filipina boxer who vowed and health restrictions caused to work hard and train even by the coronavirus pandemic. harder to win the ’ Also yesterday, Alyssa Val- first ever Olympic gold medal. dez and other homegrown “Throughout my 13 years in players of the Premier Volley- boxing and with what I’ve al- ball League (PVL) decided to ready achieved, for me, Olym- withdraw from the three-day pics is the ultimate fight of tryouts being organized by the my career,” said the women’s Philippine National Volleyball Mau’s absence is a big blow for the Philippine team featherweight world champi- No less than an Olympic gold will satisty Petecio Federation in Subic. Subic tryouts.” on, adding that fighting in the opponent who beat her in the In a letter to PNVF leadership So far, only 17 of the 40 in- Olympics is also her father’s qualifying tournament. last Monday, Valdez said polite- vited players for the women’s dream. “I always tell myself that I’m ly declined the invitation, say- team are confirmed to attend Last month, the International going to get back at those pugs ing that her family is worried I will not be able to the selection process. Olympics is the attend the national Olympic Committee-Boxing ultimate fight of my who beat me in the qualifier. I about her safety, especially with The 6-foot-1 Mau announced Task Force confirmed to the want to beat them when I face the alarming rise of COVID cases team tryouts this her decision in a social media Philippine Olympic Committee career ... I will no them again in the Olympics,” in the country. week due to travel post, adding that she will still that Petecio and countryman longer let this chance she said. “I humbly regret to inform restrictions and safety try her best to wear the national Carlo Paalam have gained slots to win a gold medal in Last year, Petecio needed you and your good office that risks. But my dream to tri-colors in future internation- through their world rankings the Tokyo Olympics slip only to make the semifinals of I will have to miss the national play for the Philippine al tournaments. Petecio and Paalam joined away the Asia and Oceania Olympic team tryouts in Subic this com- “With that being said, I will fellow boxers Eumir Marcial Boxing Qualifiers to qualify for ing 28th of April,” Valdez said flag has and will not not be able to attend the Na - NESTHY PETECIO and Irish Magno, who booked the Olympics. in a letter. change tional Team tryouts this week tickets through the Asia-Oce- less if I don’t get to compete However, Petecio fell to Jap- “I shared with my family KALEI MAU due to travel restrictions and ania Olympic Qualifiers in Am- in the Olympics. Me being an anese Irie Sena in the quarterfi- about this event and its relat- safety risks. But my dream to man, Jordan in March, 2020. athlete won’t be complete until nals — a split decision loss that ed protocols and guidelines, decision, please trust that the play for the Philippine flag Their qualification, together I compete in the Olympics,” she she really cried about. but they are worried about my team and the federation still has has and will not change,” Mau with the formal entry of power- quipped. Still, Petecio, the 2019 Ama- safety and everyone else in our my full support and commit- wrote. lifter Hidilyn Diaz to the Olym- The 5-foot-2 Petecio, who teur International Boxing Asso- home. They have asked me to ment,” Valdez, one of the most Mau, a standout of the F2 pic Games on Sunday night, fights in the women’s 57 kgs, ciation featherweight champi- excuse myself for now, especial- senior national team members, Logistics Cargo Movers, has makes it a total of seven Fili- said her qualification through on and ly since the number of Covid said. been in the United States fol- pinos to the quadrennial meet. her rankings was a wakeup call gold medalist, qualified for the cases are still rising.” “I hope there will be another lowing the cancellation of the The two others are pole vaulter for her do even better. Games even without the last She, however, remains sup- chance for me, and those oth- Philippine Superliga last year. Ernest John Obiena and gym- “I will no longer let this qualifiers, as it got canceled due portive of the national team ers who will have to miss the While still waiting for the nast Carlos Yulo. chance to win a gold medal in to the coronavirus pandemic. program and vowed to show up tryouts, to show our dedication opening of the PVL where the “For me, all the golds I’ve the Tokyo Olympics slip away,” She is hoping that she will should there be another oppor- for the sport and our country Cargo Movers are not set to won in the world champion- said Petecio. cross paths anew with the tunity for her and other players when circumstances are better play, Mau will be playing first ships and other international In Tokyo, she will shoot for 20-year-old Sena in the latter’s who would miss the tryouts. and much safer.” as an import in a Puerto Rican tournaments, everything’s use- the gold, and get back at the own hometurf. “Despite this very difficult “I wish you all the best in the league.