their game; as was evident during Round 3.Randle is the quic

Englands Tony Bellew has certainly had his disappointments inside the boxing ring.There was his majority-decision loss to Nathan Cleverly in a challenge for a light heavyweight world title in 2011.Bellews second shot at a world title went even worse. He traveled to Quebec City in 2013 and was dominated in a sixth-round knockout loss to world champion Adonis Stevenson.But then Bellew moved up to the cruiserweight division, where he has thrived. He has won seven fights in a row since the weight-class change, including an impressive and explosive third-round knockout of dangerous puncher Ilunga Junior Makabu on May 29 to win a vacant cruiserweight world title.Filled with confidence and in a groove over the past two years, Bellew, who survived a first-round knockdown by Makabu, is excited for his first title defense, which will come against BJ Flores on Saturday at Echo Arena in Liverpool, England, Bellews hometown.One of the reasons for the excitement is because the 33-year-old Bellew (27-2-1, 17 KOs) doesnt particularly care for Flores, best known these days to American fight fans as an analyst on NBCs Premier Boxing Champions cards.The fight was made because of his mouth, Bellew said. Hes been following me around for two years, saying Im not a cruiserweight, Im a light heavyweight, saying I couldnt live with him. On Saturday night I am going to show him what I can do.When I say something, I mean it. Everything hes said hes meant it and hes going to pay for it on Saturday night. Hes had [an interim] world title [fight], whereas Ive done it the hard way. Ive earned every single thing that Ive got. Ive boxed in final eliminators against top fighters, and its going to show on Saturday night.Flores, 37, of Chandler, Arizona, has been somewhat inactive. He boxed only once in 2015, losing a debatable unanimous decision to Beibut Shumenov for an interim title in July. A 10-month layoff followed before Flores (32-2-1, 20 KOs) shook off the rust with a six-round decision win against journeyman Roberto Santos in May.The so-called loss to Shumenov still burns, Flores said. I know guys cry about being robbed all the time, but in that fight, I really was robbed. I outlanded the guy by such a clear margin. If I had won that fight, or if I had been given the decision I clearly deserved, it would be a big unification fight [with Bellew].I love this fight as it is a second opportunity for me, and to beat Bellew in front of his hometown fans, it would be the ultimate example of how perseverance can pay off.After Bellew won the 200-pound world title belt, he and Flores began a heated exchange on social media. That interaction was partly responsible for Flores landing the opportunity, and when the fight was first announced Bellew said he would smash BJ Flores to bits and be the first man to stop him. Hes been mouthing off and following me around for a couple of years and Im just a little bit fed up with him now.But Flores said he is unmoved by Bellews talk of a brutal knockout prediction. He even gave him props for it.Ive never been KOd. Its been a very long while since Ive been knocked down, and Tony will come forward, Flores said. Ive rarely been hurt in my career, ever, not since my younger days. As I say, this fight has all the ingredients. I like the way he speaks his mind and how he believes in himself.He cant talk the way he has been doing and then run in the fight the way Shumenov did. Whatever gets him motivated for the fight, then thats what hes going to do. Hell see what Ive got to say in the first round. He says hes going to do this or that. He can say whatever he wants. Ill do my talking from Round 1. I am going for the KO. I dont see the need to go the distance and I dont want it to. Im going to set a fast pace from the start and Ive put the work in to make sure I can maintain that pace for as long as I need to.Bellew said he doesnt believe Flores respects him, despite his words.He says he respects me, but I know he doesnt, Bellew said. His playboy mates think I am an easy touch, but when he gets in the ring and I hit him with 10-ounce gloves on, hes going to feel it. Hes going to look across the ring at me and think, He looks a bit chunky, a bit flabby, but trust me, when I hit him for the first time hell think, What was that? The same thing Makabu thought.Flores must have some respect for Bellew, however. He traveled to England weeks ago rather than wait until the week before the fight so he could get used to the time change and to make sure he is fully adjusted. That appears to indicate that he is taking Bellew seriously.If he gets by me, then congratulations to him because this is the best version of BJ Flores thats ever been, so if he beats me then hes a real guy, Flores said. But I really feel that [Saturday] is my night. Im not worried about his predictions or his attempts to rile me. Its not going to work.Bellew, however, believes differently.Its not trash talk. Its brutal truth, he said. On Saturday night Im going to put it to bed. Air Jordan 13 NZ . Now, with Game 6 set for Fenway Park and an 8:07 p.m. ET first pitch, the Detroit Tigers face the unenviable task of having to beat the Boston Red Sox twice, on the road, to advance to the World Series. Air Jordan 13 Sale NZ .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. http://www.airjordan13nz.com/ . After Gasquet beat fifth-seeded Ivan Dodig of Croatia 7-5, 6-3, Tsonga followed up with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 win against sixth-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin in an all-French match. Air Jordan 13 For Sale Cheap . The 17-year-old native of Marystown, N.L., pulled out of Skate Canada International last month in Saint John, N.B., with the same problem. Jordan Retro 13 Wholesale . -- Ken Appleby made 32 saves for his first shutout of the season to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 2-0 win over the Belleville Bulls on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action. Three rounds done and dusted, and finally we have some separation on the ladder with Sydney Kings and Perth Wildcats sharing the penthouse apartment on 4-1 ahead of Brisbane Bullets, Adelaide 36ers and Melbourne United duking for the remaining spots in the top four.Illawarra Hawks, New Zealand Breakers and Cairns Taipans are glued to the bottom of the ladder, with the Breakers and Hawks having now lost a combined seven games on the trot after each won their opening fixtures. Theyll each be buoyed knowing its still very early in the season but this is shaping as an incredibly tough NBL season and consecutive wins is no easy feat.What stood out during Round 3, and who put forth their best performance?Pick PocketsSydney led Illawarra by eight points at halftime; then the third quarter got underway. The Kings set an NBL record with 11 steals in the quarter and blew the game wide open; behind that defensive onslaught the lead went from eight points to 27 and the game was over.Kevin Lisch was the main man for Sydney, finishing the game with a career-best six steals. Sydney sit atop the NBL standings and still have Julian Khazzouh and new signing Steve Blake to join the roster.Whered He Come From?Corey Webster set off on the fast break, two Brisbane Bullets players were in front of him and he thought he had them covered. What he didnt account for was Torrey Craig doing his best LeBron James impersonation and rising up from behind to block his layup attempt. The block was consumed by Craig, who then turned and heaved the ball forward to an open Cameron Baairstow to finish off the play.dddddddddddd It was the exclamation mark on a much needed Bullets victory.MVP WatchJerome Randle and Casey Prather are the early front runners. Theyve led their teams with stellar play and look unstoppable when theyre on their game; as was evident during Round 3.Randle is the quickest and craftiest guard in the league while Prather uses incredible athleticism to glide over the court. Randle is averaging 23.8 points per game with five assists; Prather has averages of 20.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists.Winning AwayPerth have built a fortress at home; they never lose inside of their own stadium. Travelling has always been their biggest opponent, and this season theyve played two games on the road.They opened in Brisbane, where they went down by seven points, but then on Sunday they defeated Melbourne away by three points and emphatically proved a point that they will take on any challengers anywhere, not just at home.Burst BubblesChris Goulding hasnt had his best start to an NBL season, but his worth to Melbourne United cannot be understated. Goulding had 13 points in 22 minutes against Brisbane, then the worst happened.Goulding stepped on the foot of a Brisbane player and turned an ankle. United would go on to win the game, holding off a late Brisbane rally. But then against Perth they werent so lucky, falling to the reigning champs. How long can United last without their star guard? ' ' '