Sonstiges » ke on 2014 world champions Poland at 3 p.m. And, at 10:35

A few months ago there was speculation in boxing circles that perhaps the mandatory fight between junior middleweight titlist Jermall Charlo and No. 1 contender Julian J Rock Williams would not happen.Charlo, some said, wanted to vacate and move up in weight. Others suggested that Charlo (24-0, 18 KOs) was somehow afraid of facing Williams (22-0-1, 14 KOs), a notion that seemed crazy knowing the competitive spirit Charlo possesses. Boxing and rumors, however, go together like Floyd Mayweather and money.As it turned out, none of it was true. Charlo had no intention of giving up the hard-earned 154-pound world title he won in 2015 and has so far defended twice, including in his biggest win, a unanimous decision against well-respected former titleholder Austin Trout in a competitive fight in May.The real issue was that Charlo, like millions, had poor vision. He had worn glasses or contact lenses since he was kid. A few years ago, twin brother Jermell Charlo, who also holds a junior middleweight world title, had a procedure to improve his vision.Jermall, however, elected to put it off and make due in the ring with less than optimal sight.I always wanted [the procedure], but Im a superstitious guy, Jermall Charlo said. So I like to keep things the way I always wanted.Eventually, though, his vision began to be an issue, and he faced possible problems being licensed in some states, including Nevada, where he faced Trout.Charlo, 26, of Houston, made the decision to have the same procedure as his brother, which he did this past summer.Its just something I feel like its going to take me to the next level, Charlo said. Im 110 percent, crystal clear. Im good. Im ready.He will need to be ready because he faces perhaps his toughest test in the skilled and powerful Williams, whom he will finally meet on Saturday (Showtime, 10 p.m. ET) at the Galen Center on the campus of USC in Los Angeles, in a fight many fans have anxiously waited for since Williams became his mandatory challenger in March after knocking out Marcello Matano in the seventh round of a title eliminator.In the main event, Argentinas Jesus Cuellar (28-1, 21 KOs) will make the second defense of his secondary featherweight title when he meets former three-division titleholder Abner Mares (29-2-1, 15 KOs), of Los Angeles, in a fight originally scheduled for June 25 but was postponed.Charlo admitted that he has had fuzzy vision in his fights, including against Trout.I fought the fight. I adjusted myself to be able to fight unclear, Charlo said. So now I got the procedure done. Yes, the fight [against Williams] was supposed to happen in October. And I wanted it then. But it was just for me to be able to clear the medical exam. Less stress now to go ahead and go [into the fight with] 20/20 [vision], and Im ready now.Charlo had the procedure in July and later sought and was granted a 60-day medical exemption by the IBF, allowing him to delay the mandatory against Williams from October to Saturday. Now he is ready for the fight.Everything happens for a reason, Charlo said. And crystal-clear vision is one of the things that helps me make the fight easier.Charlo said the difference has been huge and he cant even imagine how much better he will be now that he can see everything so clearly, which figures to also include the incoming punches from Williams.It gives me a lot more confidence, Charlo said. Of course, its something important and I probably had to get it. I havent fought with crystal-clear vision my whole life. So now Im even more motivated. Im eager to get in there to see what the new person is like.Williams has been anxious for a title shot for the past year and understandably grew a little restless when the fight was delayed. When the fight was finally solidified, Charlo was calm and cool.I just felt like I wanted to get to work, Williams said. The whole process has made me practice my patience. I wasnt overly excited because I knew I would fight for the world title my next fight with someone. I wanted to start training camp immediately and get myself ready to win.Williams said he was not sure what was going on with the delay at first but was glad everything was worked out for the fight.I didnt really know about the medical situation until about mid-September, Williams said. I actually thought that he would fight. And I did not think about the notion that he would vacate. I thought that he was putting the fight off for whatever reason. But like I said, at the time, I didnt know what the reason was.Now Williams, 26, of Philadelphia, is just pumped up to have his big opportunity against a highly regarded titleholder.All that is under the bridge. It doesnt even matter anymore, Williams said of the delay. The fight is [Saturday], you know what I mean? He said hes going to bring his A-game. Hes got 20/20 vision. I had 20/20 vision my whole life. Now were even. So there will be no excuses.Now both guys are looking at a tough fight with high stakes that will go a long way toward making their name in boxing.Were both on the way up to the top level, Charlo said. Hes definitely one of my best opponents up to this date. Hes hungry as me. Hes my toughest opponent. And Im ready for it.Said Williams: Whenever youve got a 50-50 fight, two guys 26 years old [and] both in the prime of their careers, its going to be a test for both fighters.Its rare we see two fighters get in the ring in this type of fight. So I think its definitely the first step in building my legacy.Ringstar Sports promoter Richard Schaefer is co-promoting the card, his first since resigning as chief executive of Golden Boy Promotions two and a half years ago after a falling out with principle owner Oscar De La Hoya. Schaefer, who founded Ringstar Sports in June, said he believes the Charlo-Williams winner is on his way to stardom.I think you have two of the best fighters in their division fighting in this particular fight, Schaefer said. And so this is an extremely significant fight for the division. And these are two young undefeated and confident fighters who dare to be great.These kinds of fights will separate one from the other, and I think the sky is the limit here within that division and potentially other divisions. But thats how you build a champion into a star and then a superstar. These kinds of meaningful fights. And in order for that to happen, you need to have two fighters who are willing to challenge themselves. And as I said, dare to be great.Custom Los Angeles Rams Jerseys . That left plenty of energy for pitching books and swatting away free agency questions. Anthony had 24 points and nine rebounds, and the Knicks avenged an embarrassing home loss with a rout of their own, beating the Boston Celtics 114-88 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory. Custom Jacksonville Jaguars Jerseys . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. http://www.footballcustomjerseys.com/custom-tampa-bay-buccaneers-jerseys-998c.html . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. Custom Oakland Raiders Jerseys . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. Custom Football Jerseys China . The nimble-footed quarterback got his wish, dashing through the snow and a weary defence all the way into the NCAA record book.RIO DE JANEIRO -- Day 8 of the Rio Games features medal action in swimming, track and field, tennis, fencing, track cycling and more. Here are some things to watch (all times local):SWIMMINGThe final day of swimming at the games will likely give us our last look at all-time record medalist Michael Phelps in an Olympic competition. While the team is not yet set, plan to see him swim in the mens 4x100 meter medley relay final at 11:04 p.m. He took silver in the 100 fly Friday night.Well also get another chance to see Simone Manuel , who on Thursday became the first African-American woman to win a gold when she set an American and Olympic record in the 100 free. Shell likely compete in the 4x100 medley relay at 10:49 p.m. with the potential to grow her new fan base . And shell swim at 10:44 p.m. in the womens 50 free finals, for which she qualified Friday.Medals also will be awarded in the 1500 free, which wont include defending champion Sun Yang of China, who failed to qualify Friday.TRACK AND FIELDWell finally get our chance to see the fastest man in the world. Usain Bolt, the two-time defending champion in the 100-meter sprint, takes to the track for his first heat of the games at 12 p.m. The Jamaican athlete (and self-described entertainer) set the world record in 2009 and the Olympic record in 2012 (London) breaking his previous record set in Beijing in 2008.The finals are on Sunday night, and Bolt has told his parents hes ready for them despite nursing a sore hamstring.Justin Gatlin, the sprinter considered the best threat to stop Bolt, won gold at the 2004 Olympics. Hes been caught using banned substances twice (the first was later ruled as taken for attention deficit disorder) but the second brought a four-year ban for excessive testosterone. He told AP that hes not paying attention to what people are saying about him, and is not concerned with those who think he doesnt belong here.Medals will go to the fastest women in the world after their 100 finals at 10:37 p.m. Semifinals start at 9 p.m.There are six sprinters to watch : Elaine Thompson of Jamaica, Murielle Ahoure of the Ivory Coast, Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands and Americans English Gardner, Tianna Bartoletta and Tori Bowie. Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the two-time defending Olympic champion, had the fastest time in qualifiers Friday night.Also, at 9:27 p.m., the mens 10,000 kicks off, with Britains Mo Farrah the dominant athlete in the sport. He has not lost a major race since taking silver in the 10,000 at the 2011 worlds, but Ethiopias Yigrem Demelash is hoping to renew his nations ownership of the race.Farah, heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill and long jumper Greg Rutherford won gold medals within an hour of each other at the 2012 London Games, creating one of the biggest roars in Olympic history. All three will be competing for gold during Saturday evening.The mens long jump finals will begin at 8:53 p.m. Rutherford, American Jarrion Lawson and Australias Fabrice Lapierre are the ones to watch. The Olympic record is still held by Bob Beaman, who set it in 1968, though Mike Powell eclipsed it in 1991.The final event of the heptathlon, the 800, starts at 11:18 p.m.Earlier, at 11 a.m., the women begin their heats in the 400.Allyson Felix , who wont get a chance to repeat for gold in the 200, takes to the track after winning the U.S. trials over Phyllis Frances. Felix has been to three Olympics and picked up six medals.Medals will also be awarded in the mens discus. Finals are at 10:50 a.m. and Piotr Malachowski, of Poland, Philip Milanov, Belgium, and Christoph Harting, Germany, are favorites to medal.SOCCERMens quarterfinals are unnderway a day after Swedens striking upset against the U.ddddddddddddS. women in penalty kicks.At the top of the bill is at 10 p.m., with Brazil vs. Colombia. Its a potential grudge match following the 2014 World Cup quarters between the two in which Colombias Juan Camillo Zuniga kneed Neymar, fracturing his back.Brazils fortunate to be in the field. The host nation needed a 4-0 win over Denmark on Wednesday to stave off elimination.Other matches have Portugal take on Germany at 1 p.m.; Nigeria against Denmark at 4 p.m. and Korea vs. Honduras at 7 p.m.TENNISThe womens gold medal singles match at 3 p.m. features Puerto Ricos Monica Puig against Germanys Angelique Kerber. Puig is looking for her nations first gold in any sport in Olympic history.The bronze medal round sees American Madison Keys play two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic. Keys lost 6-3, 7-5 to Kerber on Friday.Earlier, mens singles semifinals will be held starting with a 12 p.m. match between Britains Andy Murray and Japans Kei Nishikori. The winner will play in the Sunday finals against the victor of Spains Rafael Nadal and Argentinas Juan Martin del Potro, who knocked out No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the first round. The Nadal-del Potro match immediately follows Murrays.BEACH VOLLEYBALLThe round of 16 continues for both men and women the day after defending champions Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross took on Marta Menegatti and Laura Giombini of Italy in the late match.Canada has a number of matches to watch.At 12 p.m., Sarah Pavan and Heather Bansley take on countrywomen Jamie Broder and Kristina Valjas. And at 7 p.m., Chaim Schalk and Ben Saxton play the Netherlands Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen.Although Canada has won only one medal in the sport since it joined the Olympic program in 1996, this contingent is hoping it can change that.In the late match, at 11:59 p.m., Americans Philip Delhausser and Nick Lecena vs Austrias Robin Seidl and Alexander Huber.GOLFThe third round of the mens tournament tees off at 7:30 a.m. Marcus Fraser of Australia shot a 2-under 69 Friday for the 36-hole lead in the first Olympic golf competition since 1904. He had a one-shot lead over Thomas Pieters of Belgium, a former NCAA champion who closed with three straight birdies.Swede Henrik Stenson , the British Open champ, is in the mix thanks to the longer put in his career: a 108-footer for par.FENCINGThe womens team sabre finals is at 6:15 p.m. after quarterfinals that start at 9 a.m. Its U.S. fencer Ibtihaj Muhammads last chance to medal. Earlier in the games, she became the first American to compete while wearing a hajib.VOLLEYBALLDefending mens gold medal champions Russia take on 2014 world champions Poland at 3 p.m. And, at 10:35 p.m., Brazil faces Italy. Brazil won silver in London while Italy took bronze.BOXINGThe mens heavyweight semifinals start at 12:45 p.m. with Evegeny Tishchenko of Russia vs Rustam Tulaganov of Uzbekistan. They continue at 6:45 p.m. with Kazakstans Vassiliy Levit taking on Erislandy Savon of Cuba.TRACK CYCLINGThe womens team pursuit finals are held at 5:14 p.m. Olympic champion Britain and world champion U.S. are likely to meet for gold in the velodrome, provided both win semifinals starting at 11:17 a.m. as expected. Austria took the mens title on Friday night.ROWINGThe event wraps up with mens single sculls finals (10:32 a.m.); womens singles (10:45 a.m.); the womens eights (11:06 a.m.) and mens eights at 11:27 a.m.---AP Summer Games website: http://summergames.ap.org ' ' '