Shakur Stevenson retained his WBC light-weight title with a unanimous determination victory over Artem Harutyunyan on Saturday within the last combat of his promotional cope with High Rank.

For the third time in 4 fights, Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) boxed in his native Newark, New Jersey. He managed the combat from the opening bell, displaying off the talents that earned him recognition as ESPN’s No. 8 pound-for-pound boxer.

And for the second consecutive combat, Stevenson cruised down the stretch in opposition to a significant underdog. In November, Stevenson scored a lackluster determination victory over Edwin de Los Santos, a combat by which neither boxer landed double-digit punches in any spherical.

Stevenson was decided to ship much more leisure this time round, however the stoppage did not materialize. Considered one of boxing’s finest defensive fighters, Stevenson was a -3500 favourite in opposition to Harutyunyan, in accordance with ESPN BET.

“It is sort of onerous to show [you’re the best] if you do not have a fighter attempting to combat again; he is simply attempting to outlive,” mentioned Stevenson, 27. “… I’d have wished him to strive a little bit more durable so it could possibly be a extra enjoyable combat.

“I did all the things I might to get him out of there, too. I acquired to chop off the ring a little bit bit extra. … I am going to return to the health club and work on chopping off the ring.”

There have been boos through the last two rounds of what was largely an uneventful combat. Stevenson mentioned the jeers had been geared toward Harutyunyan as a result of “he ain’t actually attempt to make the combat.” Harutyunyan landed double-digit punches in just one spherical, the ninth.

Stevenson, in the meantime, surprised Harutyunyan to the physique a number of occasions, touchdown 66 such pictures. The champion outlanded the challenger 170-74 total. Stevenson managed vary along with his jab, was in a position to fend off Harutyunyan’s assaults and counter with sharp mixtures of his personal.

Harutyunyan (12-2, 7 KOs) was combating in his first world-title bout. He entered the ring on the heels of a spirited determination loss to light-weight contender Frank Martin in July, a combat by which he was dropped within the twelfth spherical.

The Armenian suffered cuts underneath each eyes and emerged with bruises scattered round his face. Harutyunyan, 33, represented Germany within the 2016 Olympics and received a bronze medal. At those self same Video games in Rio De Janeiro, Stevenson captured a silver medal two weight courses beneath at bantamweight.

Stevenson went on to win titles at 126, 130 and 135 kilos, the place he at present reigns. All of his 22 professional fights have been promoted by High Rank, however Stevenson now enters free company. He rejected a five-fight extension supply that might have assured him $3 million per bout, sources advised ESPN.

“I wish to combat one of the best fighters in boxing,” Stevenson mentioned. “That is how you are going to get to see one of the best model of me, while you put me within the ring with another person that desires to combat again and compete.”

Such a marquee combat has to this point eluded Stevenson. He is rated No. 3 by ESPN at light-weight. The division’s prime two boxers, Gervonta Davis and Vasiliy Lomachenko, are in negotiations to combat later this 12 months.

“If they do not combat me, they do not combat me,” Stevenson mentioned. “I am simply going to remain within the health club and be prepared.”

Conceicao ends Foster’s title reign

Robson Conceicao received his first world title in his fourth bid with a cut up determination victory over O’Shaquie Foster within the 130-pound title co-feature.

Brazil’s Conceicao, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, prevailed by scores of 115-113 and 116-112, whereas the third choose scored it 116-112 in favor of Foster, who was making the third protection of his WBC title. The choice was an unpopular one: Conceicao landed simply 11% of his punches.

“I assumed it was a shutout,” mentioned Foster, a 30-year-old combating out of Houston. “… I assumed it was a simple combat. I did not get touched besides with a headbutt. … I need the rematch. They stole this from me.”

Foster (22-3, 12 KOs) received the title with a call victory over Rey Vargas in March 2022. Conceicao (19-2-1, 9 KOs) beforehand misplaced to Stevenson and Oscar Valdez in title challenges, although neither combat was contested on an excellent enjoying area. Stevenson was stripped of the title after he didn’t make weight in opposition to Conceicao, and Valdez examined optimistic for a performance-enhancing drug weeks earlier than their combat.

Conceicao’s third title problem was a draw with Emanuel Navarrete in November, one other co-feature to a Stevenson title combat.

“I do suppose I received the combat,” Conceicao, 35, mentioned by way of an interpreter. “… He did not come to combat. He was operating and operating. I used to be the winner.”

BRIDGEWATER – A easy look at the wide range of Yankees prime prospect rankings on-line will yield no outcomes for Ben Shields’ identify.

Which will quickly change.

The 25-year-old left-handed beginning pitcher was dominant in his Double-A debut for the Somerset Patriots in entrance of a sellout crowd of seven,106 followers at TD Financial institution Ballpark on Wednesday night time, spinning 5 and a 3rd scoreless innings in a dramatic 5-4 win over the Studying Fightin’ Phils within the final recreation of an abbreviated homestand.

Not dangerous for a man who’s lower than 12 months faraway from signing with the Yankees as a largely unheralded undrafted free agent out of George Mason College.

“I felt fairly good from the beginning,” Shields mentioned. “There have been quite a lot of followers, so you may settle in and do your factor. Arising from (Excessive-A) Hudson Valley, I had an amazing expertise there. I put in quite a lot of onerous work … with quite a lot of followers right here, it’s straightforward to rise up. You’re going to have quite a lot of power and also you’re going to handle it and thank the followers for supporting us.”

Shields allowed simply two hits and two walks whereas placing out 5 Fightin’ Phils batters on Wednesday, utilizing a fastball that sat within the low 90s with a mixture of sliders and curveballs to maintain the opposition off-balance all through the night time. He’d flown largely beneath the radar since signing with the Yankees final July after a comparatively non-descript collegiate profession at each UMass and George Mason, and it stayed that manner when he opened up the 12 months in Hudson Valley as a reliever.

Extra:Yankees’ Spencer Jones catches fireplace after gradual begin at Double-A, chosen to Futures Recreation

However the Boston native bought a crack on the beginning rotation with the Renegades in mid-Could and had excelled ever since, profitable South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month honors for a June through which he went 2-1 with a 2.03 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 26 ⅔ innings of labor, incomes a promotion to Somerset for his debut begin.

With what a whirlwind the final 12 months or so has been, you’ll should excuse him if he hasn’t had a lot time to mirror on the journey.

“Simply sort of taking it day-by-day and outing-by-outing and attempting to be the perfect model of myself every time,” Shields mentioned. “Make the changes I must and transfer ahead. However wash away (the Patriots debut) and transfer ahead. Completely different staff, so give you a distinct plan with whoever’s again there and simply attempt to execute it.”

Shakur Stevenson efficiently defended his WBC light-weight title with a dominant, one-sided unanimous determination win (119-109, 118-100, 116-112) over Artem Harutyunyan on Saturday on the Prudential Middle in Newark, New Jersey.

Regrettably, Stevenson’s efficiency fell wanting the spectacular exhibiting he wanted to maintain tempo together with his friends or to show that he’s been below promoted all through his profession, leaving the viewers with a way of disappointment.

All through the moderately uneventful struggle, Stevenson’s technical expertise, together with his superior hand velocity, punching accuracy, and defensive prowess, had been a significant distinction, leaving the viewers in awe of his mastery.

Stevenson landed a number of potshots all through the struggle however did most of his harm when he sat down on his punches to the physique. Harutyunyan stored coming ahead, making an attempt to stay harmful, however he couldn’t land sufficient punches to make Stevenson uncomfortable.

Regardless of Stevenson’s dominance, he failed to bother Harutyunyan, and regardless of the pleas from his grandfather/coach, Wali Moses, the 27-year-old couldn’t hit a excessive sufficient gear to cease his opponent.

Because the struggle drew on, the group grew to become antsy, and lots of could possibly be seen strolling out of the Prudential Middle within the tenth spherical and past.

Stevenson appeared to be urgent to make one thing thrilling occur, however he was nonetheless making an attempt to stay cautious, as ordinary in his fights.

This struggle was the final one on Stevenson’s contract with High Rank, and he needed to make a press release. Sadly, he largely affirmed the statements of his critics, who referred to as him boring and hard to market.

After the struggle, Stevenson implied that his efficiency and lack of pleasure had been extra about Harutyunyan’s unwillingness to compete than his less-than-fan-friendly model.

Earlier than and after the struggle, Stevenson wore a t-shirt calling out his promoter, Bob Arum, for allegedly preserving Vasyl Lomachenko from preventing him.

After the struggle, there was no scarcity of response from boxing media members. ESPN’s Mike Coppinger referred to as Stevenson’s efficiency “dominant,” however he additionally mentioned it was “not a press release victory.”

Freelance boxing author Dan Rafael referred to as out the booing crowd and mentioned the struggle “was arduous to observe.”

Boxing journalist Raging Babe referred to as Stevenson out for the constant bickering and backtalk together with his grandfather in his nook.

I’d need to agree, because it was one thing I acknowledged in the course of the struggle as effectively. It doesn’t sound as if Stevenson respects Moses’ opinion, and their exchanges can’t be good for his general profession.

It’s not Moses’ fault essentially, but when Stevenson turns the nook as a fighter, a change could also be so as.

Each 5 days, Lisa Kingston, a 62-year-old important care nurse, drives to the Onset pier to gather samples within the murky waters of Buzzards Bay.

“That is our oxygen bottle and that is our salinity bottle. We pull this — bloop, bloop, bloop, bloop, bloop —” she says, imitating the sound of water, “and that fills up.”

On the finish of this dock, Kingston performs an hour-and-a-half-long information assortment routine — simply as she has finished 22 occasions a summer season for the previous two years. She and fellow volunteer Susan Scott are right here to take measurements on oxygen, water temperature, salinity, and extra. Scott, a 77-year-old retired arts administrator, rips open a reagent packet and provides it to a glass vial.

“There’s a sure kind of MacGyver-ish high quality to it,” she mentioned. “Whereas there’s a course of and it’s a must to do it in a sure approach, anybody may do it. You don’t need to be a educated scientist.”

Kingston and Scott are amongst dozens of volunteers who participate in one of many longest-running water high quality applications within the area. Their work helps scientists perceive how a lot septic techniques and garden fertilizers are polluting Buzzards Bay with nitrogen. Extra nitrogen may cause poisonous algae blooms and dangerously low oxygen ranges that make it practically unimaginable for marine life to outlive. So, Kingston mentioned, the work is significant to volunteers.

“You need to maintain the issues that convey you pleasure,” she mentioned. “And I couldn’t think about not with the ability to be a part of this bay, or not desirous to be in it.”

For greater than three many years, volunteers have been important to monitoring the well being of the bay. However now the Buzzards Bay Coalition is experimenting with a brand new system, one the place know-how is used to repeatedly take a look at the water. It means fewer information gaps and fewer human error, but it surely additionally means volunteers are a smaller a part of the method.

Eve Zuckoff

The brand new tech

“So we’ll pull up a logger and present you what it does,” mentioned Chris Neill, a senior scientist on the Woodwell Local weather Analysis Middle. With him was researcher Kristin Huizenga of the Buzzards Bay Coalition. The 2 organizations are collaborating on this undertaking.

Huizenga crouched on the finish of the pier and hauled up an algae-covered milk crate stuffed with scientific devices.

“They’re principally little cylinders,” she defined, pointing to the so-called information loggers; every is in regards to the measurement and form of a glasses case.

“There’s one which has a copper cap on high — that’s the dissolved oxygen sensor. After which there’s one other one which’s all black, and that’s our conductivity and temperature sensor.”

All Huizenga has to do is join a cable and obtain the info.

“We are able to hook it as much as our pc,” she mentioned. “After which we are able to see that information and the way it modifications all through the day and over weeks.”

Neglect the period of volunteers getting water high quality information each 5 days. These loggers are gathering info each 10 minutes. They’re nonetheless fairly new, however they’ve already begun to indicate that dangerously low oxygen occasions have gone undetected as a lot as 40% of the time.

Eve Zuckoff

Now, Neill says, findings like these might be used to create higher protections for the bay. They may, for instance, push coverage that limits main close by developments that depend on septic techniques, or coverage that phases in nitrogen-reducing septic techniques for owners.

“So simply realizing that these bays are impaired, there’s this connection to these sorts of actions,” he mentioned.

The Buzzards Bay Coalition will spend the summer season testing information loggers at 19 of the 200 volunteer stations across the bay.

However the brand new know-how may convey a not-so-welcome change for a group of volunteers who’ve been important to the coalition’s mission since 1992. It’s one thing retired arts administrator Susan Scott is considering.

“I’d prefer to be useful wherever I might be,” she mentioned. “So if they are saying, ‘There’s one thing else you can do in lieu of that,’ that’d be nice. Or in the event that they mentioned, ‘We’ve bought the high-tech sensors and so forth, so none of that is obligatory,’ I’d discover some other place to go and assist indirectly.”

However the human contact shall be obligatory to gather some varieties of information for the foreseeable future. So, whilst researchers rely extra closely on know-how, the work of defending the bay will nonetheless depend upon volunteers.

Copyright 2024 CAI

Topline

A current ballot steered many citizens would assist a presidential run by former First Girl Michelle Obama, despite the fact that she has repeatedly shot down the thought of a run as analysts and a rising variety of Democrats push President Joe Biden to drop out of the race following his disastrous debate efficiency final week.

Key Info

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Stunning Truth

Regardless of Obama continuously saying she’s not eager about operating for president, some bettors stay unconvinced. Betting platform Polymarket places her odds of being the 2024 Democratic nominee at 6%—above figures like California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had 5% odds, in keeping with Polymarket.

Key Background

Biden has confronted questions on his superior age all through his presidency, in addition to heavy criticism from Trump, who has repeatedly bashed Biden’s over what he says is diminished psychological acuity and bodily skills, usually mocking the president’s gaffes. However Biden’s age turned a a lot bigger concern amongst Democrats following CNN’s debate Thursday, when the 81-year-old appeared to wrestle to remain on level in his solutions, at occasions talking incoherently and in a hoarse and whispery voice. At a marketing campaign cease sooner or later later, Biden admitted he doesn’t “debate as nicely” as he used to, however vowed to remain within the race, at the same time as calls grew amongst Democratic pundits and lawmakers for Biden to step down. Biden additionally reportedly acknowledged privately he might drop out of the race if he performs poorly in an upcoming interview with ABC Information’ George Stephanopoulos, The New York Occasions reported, although the Biden administration denied the report is correct. Two Democratic members of Congress—Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, and Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz.—have known as for Biden to drop his marketing campaign, whereas editorial boards of outstanding publications like The New York Occasions and Chicago Tribune have equally stated Biden ought to finish his 2024 run.

Tangent

A post-debate CNN/SRRS ballot discovered Harris trails Trump 47%-45%, a greater displaying than Biden (six-point deficit to Trump), Whitmer (five-point deficit), Newsom (five-point deficit) and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (four-point deficit). Because it stands, FiveThirtyEight’s weighted polling common pegs Biden down practically two factors to Trump (41.9% to 39.8%) in a November rematch, although a Harris candidacy might additionally current challenges for Democrats. Her approval ranking stands at a dismal 37.5%, in keeping with FiveThirtyEight, solely narrowly above Biden (37.2%).

Additional Studying

ForbesHere is Who Is Calling On Joe Biden To Drop Out-A Democratic Lawmaker, Pundits And A Former StafferBy Sara Dorn
ForbesHere is How Biden’s Billionaire Supporters Are Reacting To Shaky Debate-Cuban Open To Changing Biden As Hoffman Urges CalmBy Brian Bushard

New York
CNN
 — 

Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus are merging to create a luxurious division retailer empire. And Amazon desires to assist.

Saks proprietor HBC introduced a deal Thursday to amass Neiman Marcus for $2.65 billion, establishing a luxurious behemoth known as Saks World that has the 2 namesake malls plus Saks Off fifth low cost retailer and the upscale Bergdorf Goodman.

“We’re thrilled to take this step in bringing collectively these iconic luxurious names, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman,” mentioned HBC CEO Richard Baker in a launch.

The 2 firms have been linked to merger talks for years, and the deal offers them extra leverage to barter with luxurious manufacturers for decrease prices. Saks has 39 shops, whereas Neiman Marcus, which filed for chapter in 2020, has 36 shops. Neiman Marcus additionally owns Bergdorf Goodman.

A number of management modifications had been additionally introduced. Present Saks.com CEO Marc Metrick will develop into the CEO for the Saks World enterprise. Present HBC Properties and Investments CEO Ian Putnam will develop into CEO of Saks World’s property and investments enterprise. Each of them will report back to Baker, who turns into the chief chairman of Saks World.

The merger signifies that HBC’s Canadian enterprise, which incorporates Hudson’s Bay malls and $2 billion in property throughout the nation, will function individually from Saks World. The unit “shall be nicely positioned to help future progress, whereas persevering with to serve its loyal Canadian base,” the discharge mentioned.

The chains are responding to business shifts, together with the decline of malls, and the rising energy of luxurious manufacturers.

Manufacturers equivalent to Louis Vuitton mother or father LVMH are getting greater and shifting their distribution technique to direct-to-consumer gross sales, away from malls. The deliberate Saks-Neiman Marcus merger seeks to wrest again some management. It additionally comes on the heels of Coach mother or father Tapestry’s proposal to purchase Michael Kors proprietor Capri.

“As a bigger entity, negotiating energy shall be just a little higher with the manufacturers, however even a mixed chain wouldn’t match the heft and energy of the worldwide luxurious conglomerates, which might nonetheless maintain a lot of the card,” Neil Saunders, an analyst at GlobalData Retail, mentioned in a word to purchasers Wednesday.

Saks’ deal may face regulatory scrutiny, nevertheless. The Federal Commerce Fee sued to dam Tapestry’s merger with Capri, saying it could hurt competitors.

“The proposed merger threatens to deprive tens of millions of American shoppers of the advantages of Tapestry and Capri’s head-to-head competitors, which incorporates competitors on value, reductions and promotions, innovation, design, advertising and promoting,” the FTC mentioned.

Amazon is also investing within the merger, working with Saks World to “innovate on behalf of consumers and types companions following the shut of the transaction,” the discharge mentioned.

Amazon has tried to develop in bodily retail. In 2022, it opened Amazon Type clothes shops in Glendale, California, and Columbus, Ohio, however closed them final yr.

Saunders added that Amazon’s stake does “make sense, because it has ambitions to play extra closely within the luxurious area and this might give it a toehold.”

“Nevertheless, the true win right here could be the flexibility of Amazon to streamline logistics and e-commerce, giving the brand new entity a bonus in a market the place distant purchasing has develop into extra essential to customers — particularly youthful ones, which each chains must do extra to draw,” he mentioned.

Rick Cluff, one in every of British Columbia’s most beloved radio personalities, has died.

Cluff handed away following a brief battle with most cancers days after marking his 74th birthday. 

A consummate broadcaster, Cluff introduced his pleasant voice and large character to CBC Vancouver in 1997 and helped flip The Early Version into the No. 1-rated morning present within the aggressive Metro Vancouver radio market.

Cluff admitted he was scared on his first day on the job in Vancouver, after making the transfer from Toronto the place he had spent twenty years with CBC radio sports activities.

However his skill to attach with individuals, real curiosity and sharp journalistic instincts helped endear him to a rising legion of listeners, which peaked at over 1 / 4 million per day in his 20-year run as host.

In a 2007 profile marking his first decade at CBC Vancouver, Cluff confessed he by no means spent a lot time considering the dimensions of his viewers or place on the prime of the radio rankings.

“If I thought of that it might drive me loopy,” he mentioned. “So it is simply the one particular person [I imagine] I am chatting with, whether or not it is a she or he of their automobile or their kitchen. That is the connection I develop with them.”

Shiral Tobin, a former producer of The Early Version, remembers Cluff as a very good particular person and gentleman to the core.

“He really obtained pleasure from elevating and training others to seek out their path to success as journalists,” mentioned Tobin, now CBC Vancouver’s journalism and programming director.

“He mentored many individuals who got here by way of this system, typically quietly and privately, but all the time in a significant and real method.”

LISTEN: Rick Cluff interviews Terry Fox on Day 9 of the Marathon of Hope in 1980 

Cluff counted overlaying the announcement of the Worldwide Olympic Committee awarding Vancouver and Whistler the 2010 Winter Video games and broadcasting because the 9/11 World Commerce Centre assaults unfolded as two unforgettable moments in his radio profession.

“[9/11] occurred at about 10 to 6 our time. We have been nearly to go on the air,” mentioned Cluff in 2007.

“I bear in mind telling people who should you’re listening, rise up and switch in your tv as a result of what is going on on in New York now could be actually going to have an effect on the best way we dwell and life as we all know it.”

Cluff and The Early Version staff earned various awards, together with for his or her protection of the Robert Dziekanski tasering at Vancouver Worldwide Airport, B.C. schooling strife, and protests over gentrification.

His sports activities broadcasting profession additionally drew honours. In 1999, Cluff was inducted into the Soccer Reporters of Canada part of the Canadian Soccer Corridor of Fame. As a former participant, soccer — and particularly the CFL — held a particular place in his coronary heart. 

In addition to broadcasting from Gray Cups, Tremendous Bowls and Stanley Cups, “Cluffer,” as his sports activities household referred to as him, additionally travelled the world to cowl Canadian groups and athletes at eight Olympic Video games, 5 Commonwealth Video games and too-many-to-mention world cups and world championships.

Following a 41-year profession at CBC, Cluff retired in 2017 after present process quadruple coronary heart bypass surgical procedure. 

In a narrative marking the event, Vancouver Journal author Matt O’Grady requested Cluff about becoming a member of the general public broadcaster in 1976, in opposition to the recommendation of his father.

“I talked to Peter Mansbridge about this just lately,” Cluff instructed O’Grady. “The alternatives we have had — we actually did work in the course of the golden age of broadcasting. I walked throughout Checkpoint Charlie, I stood within the DMZ in Korea, I used to be behind the Iron Curtain within the Seventies. It actually has been a exceptional profession.”

Cluff leaves behind his spouse Cecilia, daughter Mallory, son James and 5 grandchildren.