Sports FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Ndamukong Suh signs $114m deal with Dolphins

DAVIE: Ndamukong Suh is coming to Miami, where he and his new team will both try to end their play- off droughts. The 305-pound heavyweight in this year’s free agent class signed a $114 million, six-year deal with the Dolphins on Wednesday. The contract made Suh the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, surpassing J.J. Watt’s $100 million, six-year deal with Houston. The Detroit Lions went 0-2 in the postseason in Suh’s five years with them, and Miami hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2008. But the Dolphins believe the three-time first-team All-Pro defensive tackle can transform them into a contender after consecutive 8-8 seasons. “I’m excited about the pressure,” Suh said at a news conference. “I don’t necessarily look at it as pressure. I look at it as something I’m built for.” Suh was hailed by many as the best defensive LOS ANGELES: Floyd Mayweather Jr., left, and Manny Pacquiao strike their poses after a news conference Wednesday, in free agent in a generation. “Pretty exciting for us,” Los Angeles. Mayweather and Pacquiao are scheduled to fight in a boxing bout May 2 in Las Vegas. — AP owner Stephen Ross said. “He’s really a dominant player in the middle of his prime.” The high-stakes signing may define the tenure of new executive vice president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum. Pacquiao, Mayweather “To get a player of Ndamukong’s stature says a lot about our organization,” Tannenbaum said. “The fact he chose us speaks volumes about our organi- face-to-face at last zation, our chance to win and the foundation that has been laid here.” Suh’s news conference overshadowed the sign- LOS ANGELES: Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather his legs won’t take him out of the way ... if he has to came face to face Wednesday for the first time since their exchange with Manny Pacquiao he is in trouble.” ing of free agent cornerback Brice McCain to a $5.5 May 2 mega-fight was announced, as Hollywood rolled out Mayweather made little impact with his own somewhat million, two-year deal Wednesday. McCain has 19 the red carpet for the richest bout in history. half-hearted attempt to get into Pacquiao’s head with a career starts, including nine last year for the “It’s been a long road but we’re here now,” said the reference to the defeats on his resume. Steelers. unbeaten Mayweather, as the countdown began to an “When you lose, it’s in the mind,” said Mayweather, eagerly awaited welterweight world title showdown in Las widely considered boxing’s pound-for-pound king. “From Double team Vegas that has been a long-and at times fraught-five years day one, I was taught to be a winner.” The Dolphins still have plenty of work to do this in the making. But Mayweather admitted the stakes are higher-and not offseason. They must decide whether to keep, cut or Filipino ring icon Pacquiao countered: “The fight is on just because by the time the pay-per-view revenues are trade disgruntled receiver Mike Wallace, and must and we’re very excited. Both of us will undergo hard train- counted the fight is certain to be the most lucrative of all replace receivers Brian Hartline and Brandon ing, and we will do our best on May 2 to make you happy.” time. Gibson, both released earlier. They’re in the market The celebrated duo seemed relaxed as they posed and “I’ve never wanted to win a fight so bad in my life,” said for help at guard, and linebacker and safety must all chatted for a phalanx of about 600 media representatives Mayweather, projected to make an eye-watering $120 mil- who were recording their every move. lion. Pacquiao will pocket $80 million. Previous bids to put be addressed to shore up an aging defense. The deal for the fight wasn’t sealed until February 20, together a fight between the two-most notably in late The front four now should be more formidable leaving little time for the usual pre-bout media blitz, mak- 2009 — had run aground over various issues, including with the addition of Suh. He draws a double-team ing Wednesday’s event the only joint news conference division of the purse, drug testing protocol and animosity on almost every play, which will help free up ends they will conduct before fight week. between Mayweather and Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum. Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon, who have com- “On May 2 I have a tough test,” Mayweather said. No lingering ill-feeling was in evidence on Wednesday. bined for 38 sacks in the past two seasons. “Manny Pacquiao is a good fighter. I can’t see how it will “We’re family. We’re all part of this boxing family,” said Suh has 36 sacks in five seasons, including 81/2 in play out, I am not a psychic. But you best believe I will be in Arum, who promoted Mayweather until an acrimonious 2014, and might be even better against the run. The top shape and the best I can be.” split in 2006. Lions had the NFL’s top-ranked rush defense last The American, smartly clad in a dove gray suit and pale Another complication was the fact that Mayweather has year, while the Dolphins ranked 24th. striped shirt with diamond cufflinks winking, showed only a deal with US telecaster Showtime and Pacquiao with Suh will help compensate for the loss of two rare glimpses of his “Money” Mayweather swagger-he did fierce rival HBO. predict he would emerge with his unblemished record starting defensive linemen. Randy Starks was intact. ‘Monumental’ released to create $5 million in cap space, and Jared “I believe in my skill. I believe in myself,” said The two networks are working together on the bout, Odrick signed with Jacksonville. The Dolphins, Mayweather, who puts a record of 47-0 with 26 knockouts with HBO Sports president Ken Hershman saying whose 2013 season was sabotaged by a bullying on the line. Wednesday the event “transcends boxing for sure and will scandal, pursued Suh even though he’s regarded as probably transcend sport.” one of the NFL’s dirtiest players. He has lost Quiet confidence Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza called it a “monumental $420,669 in fines and suspensions for on-field mis- Pacquiao, 57-5 with two drawn and 38 knockouts, wore event” that is sure to be the “biggest and most lucrative behavior, and was nearly suspended for Detroit’s a darker suit and tie, and displayed his usual quiet confi- combat sport event the world has ever seen.” playoff game at Dallas last season. dence in a cavernous auditorium normally reserved for pop The fighters entered the theater separately, walking to Thanks to billionaire owner Ross’ deep pockets, concerts and Hollywood A-listers. the stage in a parade reminiscent of a walk to the ring. the Dolphins landed their top free-agent target for “I believe I will win on May 2,” said the down-to-earth They faced front from the stage-to throaty cheers from the third offseason in a row. They signed Wallace to 36-year-old southpaw, who has won world titles in an their camps and various hangers-on-then strode toward unprecedented eight weight divisions. Pacquiao’s Hall of each other for a classic pre-fight staredown. “May 2, the a $60 million, five-year deal in 2013, and signed left Fame trainer Freddie Roach couldn’t resist a few jabs at fight of the century,” Mayweather declared, sweeping tackle Branden Albert to a $47 million, five-year con- Mayweather, who turned 38 in February. aside suggestions that the bout comes with each fighter tract in 2014. — AP “His legs are little bit shot,” Roach said. “He is going to past his brilliant best. have to exchange more. He has to exchange more because “This is a fight that the world can’t miss.”— AFP