CELEB NEWS

The third slam of the season is in full swing as the third round of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships wraps up on Day 6. The All England Club draw has given us some scintillating Round 3 matchups, including No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic vs Alexei Popyrin. As always, we at LWOT have our roundtable predictions for all the Wimbledon action. Damian, Jordan, Ateet and Yesh offer their insights.

Wimbledon Men’s Day 6 Predictions

Arthur Fils vs Roman Safiullin

Damian
Fils got through after Hurkacz got injured, but let’s remember he played a phenomenal first two sets there and was still alive in the fourth set tie-break when that issue popped up. Safiullin made the quarterfinals last year and is firing at Wimbledon again, he also has that type of game to rush the Fils groundstrokes on grass. But something tells me this is the event that the Frenchman was looking for this year.
Prediction: Fils in 5

Jordan
This promises to be a fun match between two very aggressive players. Fils does have slightly more explosiveness at his best. Inconsistency is sometimes his issue, but I am backing the Frenchman to find his range enough times to make the fourth-round.
Prediction: Fils in 4

Ateet

This is already the best Grand Slam run for Arthur Fils and he has a golden opportunity to extend this further. He played a brilliant match against one of the outside favourites for the title, Hubert Hurkacz. Roman Safiullin hasn’t been in great form this year but has played well this week. He made the semifinals of Wimbledon last year so it’s safe to say he likes playing on grass. This match will be close if Safiullin can bring his best level but Fils’ has the bigger game and serve which will be the difference.
Prediction: Fils in 5

Yesh

Hubert Hurkacz might not have been 100%, but Arthur Fils was playing so well to have him beat anyway. I, for one, can’t wait to see how far the Frenchman can go.
Prediction: Fils in 3

Lucas Pouille vs Alex de Minaur

Damian
Pouille has been awesome since the qualifying and while he had to fight his way through the last two matches, he’s showing that he can still be a decent main tour player even after all these injuries seriously depleting him physically. But de Minaur has joined the elites now. The Australian is so tough to beat and requires a truly perfect standard from his opposition. A standard that Pouille is unlikely to deliver for at least three sets.
Prediction: de Minaur in 4

Jordan
Pouille, after struggling a lot in recent years, has surprised many with his run at SW19. However, he is very unlikely to topple de Minaur. The Australian’s consistency and intensity should be too much for Pouille, especially since the Frenchman is not as physically strong as he used to be.

Prediction: de Minaur in 3

Ateet
Alex De Minaur convincingly overcame Jaume Munar in the second round and appears poised for a deep run. Although injuries have hindered Lucas Pouille’s career, he still performs well when he can play. This will be tougher for de Minaur than it looks on paper but he is too good to not win this.
Prediction: de Minaur in 4

Yesh
Alex de Minaur is putting things all together. This run might be a nice swan song for Pouille, but it’s hard to think the Aussie won’t take this.
Prediction: de Minaur in 3

Damian
Funnily enough Mpetshi Perricard might be disappointed that Ruusuvuori pulled off the Tsitsipas upset as he would have had some much fun smashing serves at the Greek’s one-handed backhand return. The Finn is also an opponent he could beat though and while Ruusuvuori should have some extra confidence now after his previous round, let’s remember we hadn’t really seen the best of his game in a while before last match.
Prediction: Mpetshi Perricard in 5

Jordan
This will come down to very fine margins. Overall, Ruusuvuori is narrowly favoured. I think he is slightly more likely to create chances against Mpetshi Perricard’s huge serve than the Frenchman is to get opportunities in Ruusuvuori’s service games.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 4

Ateet
Perricard destroyed his second-round opponent, Yoshihito Nishioka in just 71 minutes to set up this clash with Emil Ruusuvuori. The Frenchman has been hitting aces left, right and centre and is athletic to go with that. Emil Ruusuvuori defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas with a fantastic performance. He has always been capable of producing such levels but consistency has been his problem. He hits massive balls from both wings but can he break the serve of Perricard? I think he can and will be more clinical in tiebreaks.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 5

Yesh
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard is continuing his breakthrough season, taking the Tour and Majors by storm. He’s going to get another round here, too. The question might be becoming wondering who will stop him.
Prediction: Mpetshi Perricard in 3

Novak Djokovic vs Alexei Popyrin

Damian
Djokovic doesn’t look like a player who will win the event and Popyrin was close to taking him to five sets at the Australian Open this year. It’s tough to compare these versions of the Serbian though, back then he was struggling with a viral illness and now might be a bit tentative covering his backhand corner after the injury. Popyrin has some firepower, but it might all be a bit too predictable to beat Djokovic.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4

Jordan
This matchup is not complicated. Popyrin’s big serve needs to be firing on all cylinders to have a chance of toppling the seven-time champion. But I always trust Djokovic to create the chances he needs against big servers.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3

Ateet
Popyrin played a good match when these two met at the Australian Open this year and it won’t be easy this time too for Djokovic, who wasn’t at his best in his last match and is working his way up with every match. Popyrin has a big serve and forehand but his backhand can be vulnerable and Djokovic will target that. I expect Popyrin to take a set but also Djokovic will improve from his last match.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4

Yesh
Alexei Popyrin is rounding into form (again), while Djokovic isn’t at his best. Does that mean there’s upset potential here? I’m saying nope, but it’s fun to think about.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4

BOXING

Robert Garcia Believes That Terence Crawford Will Be a Tough Opponent for Canelo

Terence Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) is returning to the ring after a yearlong hiatus to face WBA super welterweight titleholder Israil Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) on August 3, 2023. ‘Bud’ who was last seen dishing out a sensational TKO victory against Errol Spence Jr . (28-1, 22 KOs) in 2023, has long been eyeing a fight against pound-for-pound fighter, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs). With fans expecting a potentially gargantuan clash between the titans, trainer Robert Garcia believes that Crawford will prove to be a tough opponent for Alvarez.

Garcia was talking to K.O. Artist Sports. In conversation, he opened up about the possibility of Crawford jumping weight classes to fight Alvarez at Super Middleweight. “I think it is a big fight because Crawford is huge pound-for-pound number 1 or number 2 or 3 for a lot of people, and he does have skills,” he said.

Garcia further mentioned that if Crawford emerges victorious in his upcoming fight against Madrimov, it will undoubtedly bring in big numbers for a potential Alvarez fight. “It’ll be a fight that does really good numbers. I think it’s a fight that will sell. Crawford will put up some good rounds. I think that Canelo is the bigger guy and more experienced, and I think in the later rounds, he’ll catch him and maybe stop him. But Crawford will put up a good fight. I know that for a fact,” he added.

Madrimov, on the other hand, seems to be laser-focused only on his upcoming fight against Crawford. Talking to BoxingScene, he revealed why Crawford will have a hard time dominating him in his division. “He’s a great fighter. All around, he has every tool, but I feel like this is my division,” he said.

He further mentioned that he fought at a higher weight class as an amateur and added that every fight he had after turning pro at 154 has been a major one. “What everyone’s saying about experience, my 11 fights in the pros is not the same as everyone else. This is my division. He’s moving up. I know he has all the skills, but it’s my division, and it’s my time,” he said.

CELEB NEWS

Serena Williams dishes the dirt on her exes

Serena Williams is one of the most recognizable figures in American sport, let alone just tennis, although her private life has been largely kept private in recent years.

In professional tennis, even champions like Serena Williams find humor in their past dalliances away from the court.

Recently, Serena shared a light-hearted confession about her previous romantic relationship, in which she was remarkably self-deprecating.

During an interview on the YouTube show Hot Ones by First We Feast, the 23-time Grand Slam winner candidly discussed her dating history, referring to some relationships as ‘red flags.’

Holding a bottle of hot sauce labeled Red Flag, Williams used the prop as a running joke when discussing her former partners.

“Red flag. Oh, like some guys I dated,” Williams told Hot Ones.

Who has Serena Williams dated?

Serena’s dating history has been a topic of interest in the tennis community. She is now happily married to Alexis Ohanian, an American entrepreneur and investor.

They met by chance in Rome in 2015, and their friendship soon turned into love. They married in 2017 and have been together ever since.

Before Ohanian, Serena’s relationships often made headlines.

She had an on-and-off relationship with Canadian rapper Drake from 2011 to 2015. Additionally, she was rumored to have dated Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov and French tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

In her documentary In the Arena: Serena Williams, Serena recalls her first relationship in her 20s. She dated a guy who disappeared without explanation.

“And it wasn’t even that serious, but I used that and I made it way more serious than what it was,” she said.

“So, when he ghosted me, I used that as an opportunity to say, ‘He’s gonna regret this for the rest of his life.'”

BOXING

Floyd Mayweather Shows Love to His Mother by Gifting Her a Custom Mercedes With NBA Ball-Trimmed Seats

Boxing great Floyd Mayweather Jr. is known for his love for cars. His garage is full of opulent automobiles, and now he has added one more to that. However, it is not for himself, he has gifted it to his mother. Interestingly, many fans might not know that the Mayweather family has a tradition for the 4th of July. The family has been carrying out a practice of giving gifts on American Independence Day.

RELATED:“There’s Too Much Bad Blood”: Ricky Hatton Dismisses a Floyd Mayweather Exhibition Forever

Despite more than a dozen cars parked in his garage, he never stops adding more wheels in his garage. He retired from professional boxing in 2017 when he extended his record to 50-0 after defeating UFC superstar Conor McGregor. Billed as ‘The Money Fight’, it was one of the most lucrative fights in the history of the sport.

Although ‘Money’ has retired from professional boxing, he is often seen inside the ring for exhibition fights. Mayweather might not be an active name in the current boxing scene, but he makes sure to make headlines with his life outside the ring. Apart from the car he gifted his mother, there are a few more cars that he recently added to his garage.

UPDATE:Next Floyd Mayweather added to Nate Diaz vs Jorge Masvidal undercard

The former five-division champion is arguably the most lucrative fighter in boxing history. Despite being retired, he still lives a king-size life. Even though he no longer receives the large paychecks he once did for his fights, he has amassed millions of dollars through astute investment choices. His recent upgrades to his car collection serve as evidence.

BOXING

Floyd Mayweather grows car collection with a gift for his mother

Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s car collection recently grew with the addition of a new vehicle, this time as a gift for his mother.

The Mayweather family has a tradition of exchanging gifts on the 4th of July, and this year was no exception.

Mayweather shared a video of the car on his Instagram story, highlighting that while his mother does not drive, she will still enjoy being chauffeured in her new ride.

“This all about taking care of family. Just got my mom a new Mercedes, come check it out,” he said in the video.

“You know black everything because we killing in the game, come check it out. It’s good for her. Ball seats, you know like an NBA ball. Mom I love you, got you another gift.”

A lavish lifestyle

Mayweather retired from professional boxing in 2017, capping his career with a 50-0 record after defeating UFC star Conor McGregor in the event dubbed ‘The Money Fight,’ one of the sport’s most profitable matches.

Although retired, Mayweather remains active through exhibition fights and continues to make headlines with his lavish lifestyle.

Floyd Mayweather delights Las Vegas cooks with huge tip | Boxing | Sport | Express.co.uk

In addition to the car for his mother, he has recently acquired several more vehicles for himself, showcasing his ongoing enthusiasm for luxury cars.

As a former five-division champion, Mayweather is one of the most financially successful fighters in boxing history.

Despite no longer competing professionally, he maintains a lavish lifestyle funded by the millions earned from his boxing career and astute investments.

BOXING

Months After the Tiger Woods Split, Nike Deals With Its $28 Billion Mess With a Drastic Move

Breakups are hard. Especially after a 27-year-long partnership like the one Nike and Tiger Woods shared. While Tiger Woods has been suffering with an increasing level of criticism on his newly-launched brand Sun Day Red, the journey has not been easy for Nike either.

The multi-billion athleisure enterprise recorded the steepest one-day percentage decrease in its share prices since 1980, shortly after its quarterly earnings and future outlook were announced. A major fall of 20% was seen in its share price costing the sports market giant a hefty sum of almost $28 billion of shareholder value.

This major setback was not exclusive to the already intense spot that Nike had found itself in, a while back. Nike has been focusing on a $2 billion cost-cutting campaign in light of consumers’ complaints of an increase in prices and a shocking update of an expected 4–6% decline in sales in the forthcoming fiscal year.

Addressing the brand’s current tricky situation, UBS analyst Jay Sole wrote, “Our key conclusion is there will be no quick rebound for Nike’s earnings. We believe Nike is embarking on what will be a multiyear reset of its business.”

The recent consumer behavior adds to the concerns of a multiyear reset of its business following share price downfall and internal struggles. With Nike’s underperformance and expensive lines, consumers are moving towards other brands like Hoka, On, and New Balance. This has forced Nike to take drastic measures to attack “opportunities across price points” and launch a less-expensive shoe line, likely under $100.

But what is the situation on the other side of this breakup story? Why is Tiger Woods’s SDR facing rampant criticism?

The problem with Tiger Woods’s post-breakup brainchild Sun Day Red

Not all is merry on Woods’s SDR’s end either. Having faced multiple rounds of criticism due to its expensive prices, disappointing quality, and seemingly complex logo, the newly launched brand seems to have failed in delivering its promise of providing more than a shift, infusing its consumer with a winner mindset, so far.

The brand claims that “Every seam, every stitch, every fold of SUN DAY RED, is sewn with the meticulousness, care, and unwavering focus that has defined Tiger Woods’ legendary career. When you wear these clothes, you wear the confidence to compete, both on and off the course. You carry the legacy of a champion. You become part of the SUN DAY RED story.”

Despite its promises, fans continuously criticize every move the newly born brand takes. Its recent launch of the Camo Collection was no exception. Against the brand’s tagline for this innovative take on activewear that works on and off the course and serves as “a symbol of excellence, commitment, and determination,” the all-new Sun Day Red Camo Collection has been deemed by fans as “overpriced and cheap material.”

With fans’ opinions increasingly going against its goals, Tiger Woods and Nike both find themselves on a sinking boat, in dire need of redemption. While Nike’s struggles remain majorly financial, Woods’s battle remains hidden in a more qualitative assessment.

CELEB NEWS

Tiger Woods facing wrath of St Andrews as plan to take over old building gets green light

Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake have been given the green light to convert a cinema in St Andrews into a luxury sports bar despite a petition against the plans.

Golf legend Tiger Woods and pop icon Justin Timberlake have been granted permission to transform an old cinema in St Andrews into a high-end sports bar.

The duo, who are shareholders in the Nexus Luxury Collection, have received approval from Fife Council to convert the New Picture House Cinema.

St Andrews, often referred to as the ‘home of golf’, has hosted the Open Championship 30 times, with the most recent event in 2022 won by Cameron Smith. The New Picture House is conveniently located near the golf course.

In their statement, the council said: “The proposal is considered acceptable in terms of design, detailing and choice of materials; and would protect and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area.

“As such, the proposal is considered to be in compliance with the relevant policies of the development plan and relevant guidelines.”

The project is expected to create between 40 and 45 jobs. The current owners of the cinema revealed in planning documents that the New Picture House ‘currently runs at under 10 per cent occupancy and is no longer a viable stand-alone cinema operation.’

Last year, Woods and Timberlake launched a luxury T-Squared Social bar in New York, a concept born after a round of golf in the Bahamas, reports the Mirror.

The new venue in St Andrews will bear the same name.

A local petition, amassing over 12,000 signatures last year, fiercely opposed the proposed changes by Woods and Timberlake, claiming it would “strip away a vital part of our town’s identity and history”.

The cinema was described as the “heart and soul of St Andrews”, with the redevelopment plans labelled “deeply alarming”.

However, following significant public pressure, the original redevelopment plans were altered.

The petition organisers later revealed they had engaged in discussions with T-Squared Social, stating: “We believe that their business plans align with our desire to make the cinema a thriving establishment and a pillar of the St Andrews community.”

They added: “After an incredible 12,000 signatures and a successful campaign, they’ve listened to all our concerns, so we have arrived at a position where we are comfortable to work closely together with them for the good of the cinema.”

BOXING

Is Terence Crawford vulnerable against Israil Madrimov?

All of the highlights Terence Crawford has provided while building his 40-0 record and standing as one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighters are fresh in the memory bank.

His sudden reaction to learning he was down on the ESPN scorecard and then knocking out Shawn Porter. His battering of Errol Spence Jr. to become undisputed welterweight champion one year ago. And so many more to come…

But Crawford is 36 now, coming off a year-long layoff, moving up in weight and now meeting an unbeaten World Boxing Association junior-middleweight champion in Uzbekistan’s Israil Madrimov who’s saying, “This is my division.”

“Crawford just constantly looks unbeatable. There’s so many layers to his style and in each (southpaw and orthodox) stance,” ProBox TV’s Paulie Malignaggi said as the cast broke down the Aug. 3 matchup between Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) and 29-year-old Madrimov (10-0-1, 7 KOs) on Wednesday’s episode of “Deep Waters.” “He’s amazing in all aspects. That’s why he’s the best fighter in the world right now.

“But at the age he’s fighting, you’ve got to go one fight to the next. It happens at this age, and you wonder. Crawford could step in the ring and maybe it’s not the same Crawford.”

While Malignaggi clarified that until any slippage is seen, the expectation is that it will be the same ol’ Crawford.

“But the reason I bring that up is because Madrimov is no slouch. He’s a guy who can make you look bad.”

Madrimov-Crawford tops the Riyadh Season-promoted stacked card coming to the LAFC soccer stadium in Los Angeles. Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz defends his 140-pound belt in the co-main, former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. meets veteran Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, and gifted contenders Jared Anderson, David Morrell and Andy Cruz are also on the card.

Crawford’s main event “is a big threat … (Madrimov) is physically strong, super athletic, very confident saying, ‘This is my weight class.’ He’s a guy who wants to defend what he’s got.”

Madrimov appeared on the show, telling BoxingScene of the story in his Indio, Calif., gym of how he helped train light-heavyweight Dmitrii Bivol for his 2022 upset of Canelo Alvarez.

With Crawford seeking an Alvarez fight in victory, Madrimov said he’s taken heart that he can change boxing’s storyline, as well.

“Gym culture is really important. It seems Madrimov is in over his head, but it seems he has the right answers and the right culture to be prepared for the moment, to be prepared and bring the best version of himself,” former 140-pound champion Chris Algieri said on “Deep Waters.”

“He’s very much a threat to even the great Terence Crawford.”

Hall of Fame former two-division champion Timothy Bradley Jr. formerly trained with Madrimov trainer Joel Diaz down the road in Indio, where Crawford first entered and mightily impressed before becoming a lightweight champion.

Knowing Crawford well, Bradley said Madrimov’s best chance is to “land on Crawford early,” at a time when the three-division champion usually reserves to download information from his opponent.

“I wonder with Crawford if he gets touched, how he’s going to react,” Bradley said. “You have to be explosive and athletic to deal with Crawford. The thing with Madrimov is he gets reckless. You can’t get reckless against Terence Crawford.”

Will Crawford be looking past Madrimov to the Canelo showdown that Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh has suggested?

“Not at all,” Algieri said. “He understands what’s in front of him and he understands he’s at the tail end of his career. He’s a dead-focused guy who lives in the gym.

BOXING

“There’s Too Much Bad Blood”: Ricky Hatton Dismisses a Floyd Mayweather Exhibition Forever

In November 2022, 44-year-old Ricky Hatton returned to the ring to face 48-year-old and former three-division champion, Marco Antonio Barrera, in an exhibition. At that time, Hatton possessed the desire to rematch Floyd Mayweather too. However, the British boxer has now completely changed his tune.

RELATED:Next Floyd Mayweather added to Nate Diaz vs Jorge Masvidal undercard

A critical analysis of Floyd Mayweather knocking out Ricky Hatton

Ricky Hatton was a little too desperate when he fought Floyd Mayweather in 2007. In his attempt to be the aggressor, he continued running into Mayweather’s punches, ultimately getting himself knocked out in the 10th round. Trying to close the distance impatiently, Hatton ended up in a square stance and exposed his chin to Mayweather. This allowed Mayweather to land his lead hook on Hatton’s head several times, angling out.

In the eighth round, the fight looked almost over as Mayweather, demonstrating vicious inside fighting, beat Hatton black and blue. However, Hatton, deficient in head movement and variety, kept returning for more with his head unprotected. In the 10th round, stepping back, Mayweather lured Hatton toward a corner. Of course, Mayweather expected Hatton, who was no equal to the former, to make a silly mistake.

UPDATE:“Floyd [Mayweather] Got My Back”: Despite Being Ousted From Gervonta Davis’ Undercard, Curmel Moton “Not Really Worried” About Beef With ‘Tank’

And he did. As Hatton tried to push ‘Money’ against the ropes, the latter landed a check hook while moving to Ricky’s blind side. You could tell Mayweather had been setting up that check hook for some time. With that said, would you have liked an exhibition between Floyd Mayweather and Ricky Hatton? Let us know in the comments below.