Bulls Overcome Heat
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SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2013 Alexander’s title on line against unbeaten Porter BROOKLYN: St Louis southpaw Devon Alexander puts making the first title shot of his career and will be hop- dleweight crown. It will be a first defense of his WBC his International Boxing Federation welterweight world ing to improve on his 22-0-1 record. “We are going to title for the Cameroon-born Bika. “I feel good, I want to title on the line when he faces unbeaten fellow mix it up,” challenger Porter said. “I’ve seen a few of his show people that I am one of the best,” said Bika. American Shawn Porter today. Alexander (25-1, 14 KOs), fights. He’s going to scrap.” Alexander said Porter Dirrell plans to take advantage of his experience in who captured the IBF belt by beating Randall Bailey in a reminds him of when he was younger. “I am putting the ring. “I am going to do what I need to win,” said the 12-round bout on October 2012, insists Porter doesn’t myself in Porter’s shoes,” he said. “I know what it is like undefeated American. “I am experienced too. I’ve been have the talent to take the title away at the Barclays to get excited for a world title match.” doing this 20 years. I just know I am an athlete that can Center arena in Brooklyn. “His skills are limited and I am Alexander now expects to fight on a regular basis at do it all. That’s my plan, to do what I want to do.” Bika going to come to fight,” Alexander, 26, said. “I am back 147 pounds. “After this fight we can expect bigger and comes into the fight with 32 wins, five losses and two to normal today night. You can expect me to win and better things. I’ll be a major player at 147 pounds,” he draws while Dirrell is 26-0 with 22 knockouts. In a non- be explosive. “I’ve been blessed too much to want said. The other world title fight on the card features title fight, former two-time world champ Paulie something for Christmas. I will be giving this year.” Sydney-based Sakio Bika squaring off against Anthony Malignaggi faces fellow American Zab Judah in a con- The undefeated Porter, who is the same age, will be Dirrell for Bika’s World Boxing Council super mid- test between two hometown heroes. — AFP Rigondeaux set to clash with Agbeko ATLANTIC CITY: Cuba’s Guillermo Rigondeaux makes his return to the ring today for the first time since his dominating victory earlier this year over Nonito Donaire. Seven months after his career-best victory, the undefeated Rigondeaux will be defend- ing his World Boxing Association super bantamweight title against former two-time champ Joseph Agbeko today at the Boardwalk Hall venue. The 33-year-old Rigondeaux (12-0, eight knockouts) easily defeated Donaire by a unanimous decision in April and will be looking for another strong performance against veteran Agbeko. “I am very pleased to have the opportunity to end 2013 the way I opened it up, with surprise and pure boxing class for the world to see,” said Rigondeaux. “Joseph Agbeko is a great champion, and I believe all fans will be pleased with the type of performance we will both exhibit to end a great year of boxing. I believe Agbeko will come prepared, ready to engage and be very aggressive.” Rigondeaux fashioned a superb amateur career that included 400 wins and just 12 losses. As a profession- al, he compiled an undefeated record with the help of his superb counter-punching and defensive skills. He is also considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.—AFP Cirrus Des Aigles takes aim at Hong Kong jinx HONG KONG: French great Cirrus Des Aigles will try to break a jinx that has left him winless in Hong Kong when he head- lines one of the world’s richest race meetings tomorrow. The seven-year-old, the world’s top racehorse a year ago, will make his fifth attempt at glory at the $9.3 million Hong Kong International Races. Japanese sprint star Lord Kanaloa will make his final appearance before retirement and British trainer Richard Hannon will oversee his last race when Sky Lantern runs the Mile. Cirrus Des Aigles has failed three times in Hong Kong in 2009, 2010 and 2011, and last year he was CHICAGO: Miami Heat guard Roger Mason Jr (left) keeps the ball away from Chicago Bulls forward Tony Snell, during the sec- forced to pull out of the Cup race with a late injury. The ond half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago on Thursday, Dec 5, 2013. — AP gelding took time to regain his sparkle this year but he resumed winning ways in September and handsomely won the Prix Dollar at Longchamp on October 5. Jockey Bulls overcome Heat Christophe Soumillon said Cirrus Des Aigles seemed to be in hot form, although Hong Kong’s Military Attack is the Cup favourite on his home track of Sha Tin. CHICAGO: Carlos Boozer scored 27 points, and the Chicago Bulls 13) snapped a tie with the Nets (5-14) for most losses in New York, “I was just about to get him ready to go when he simply beat LeBron James and the Miami Heat 107-87 on Thursday night. winning the game and the crowd with a dominant second half that pulled off. There was nothing I could do about it so off we Luol Deng had 20 points, Taj Gibson chipped in with 19, and Joakim had Spike Lee and the rest of the fans wearing blue and orange went,” Soumillon said. “He’s really raring to go and it is a Noah added 17 points and 15 rebounds as the Bulls had no trouble cheering perhaps the Knicks’ most complete performance of the very good omen.” Lord Kanaloa will take on Hong Kong’s knocking off the defending champions. Chicago took control early season. Andrea Bargnani scored 16 before he was ejected in the Lucky Nine in the Sprint as the five-year-old aims to close his on and hung on down the stretch after watching a 25-point lead in fourth quarter. Brook Lopez had 24 points and nine rebounds for career with his seventh win in eight races since September the third quarter dwindle to 12 late in the game. It was an impressive the Nets. 2012. However, the Japanese horse of the year has received showing by a team that had dropped six of seven and is once again an unkind draw of barrier 12, meaning the odds are against a trying to get by without the injured Derrick Rose. The Bulls shot 50 CLIPPERS 101, GRIZZLIES 81 successful defense of the race he won last year. percent and were 10 for 19 on 3-pointers. They also outrebounded Reserves Darren Collison and Jamal Crawford scored 15 points “I understand the quality of the sprint race and the sprint- Miami 49-27. James scored 21 points for Miami, but the Heat shot a each and Los Angeles Clippers used a strong second half to beat ers here in Hong Kong, and it is not easy to win a race like season low for the second straight game, converting 41.6 percent Memphis. Chris Paul also had 15 points and eight assists for the this,” said training assistant Shogo Yasuda. “But the owner from the field. Clippers, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Blake Griffin added told us, after the Sprinters Stakes, that he would like to target 14 points and nine rebounds, while DeAndre Jordan had 10 points Hong Kong as Lord Kanaloa’s final run and he is here in good KNICKS 113, NETS 83 and 14 boards for Los Angeles. Kosta Koufos led Memphis with 17 shape.” British favorite The Fugue will compete with 2011 The Knicks are no longer the biggest losers in New York. The points, while Mike Conley had 16 on 6-for-8 shooting. Quincy Melbourne Cup-winner Dunaden in the Vase. In the Mile, Brooklyn Nets look like the real Big Apple busts. Carmelo Anthony Pondexter scored 15, and Zach Randolph - back after missing two Hannon’s Sky Lantern has been drawn outside favored had 19 points and 10 rebounds, Iman Shumpert scored a season- games following ingrown toenail surgery - had 12 points and 12 French mare Moonlight Cloud.—AFP high 17 points, and the Knicks ended a nine-game losing streak in rebounds. The Clippers shot 13 for 20 in the fourth quarter as Paul the first meeting of the season between the city rivals. The Knicks (4- and Griffin sat on the bench, leaving the game to the reserves. — AP .