Five things to know from what happened in the world of sport last week. September 22-28, 2020.
- The Charlo Bros. Jermell and Jermall Charlo defended their Boxing World Titles the same night. Jermell retained his WBC light middleweight title; Won WBA (Super), IBF, and vacant The Ring light middleweight titles by Knocking Jeison Rosario (DOM) Out with a body jab in their unification match. Jermall retained his WBC middleweight title by beating Sergiy Derevyanchenko (UKR) in a unanimous decision. On the same night, Luis Nery (MEX) won the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight World Title by defeating Aarón Alameda (MEX); Brandon Figueroa (MEX/USA) Knocked Damien Vázquez (MEX(USA) out to defend the WBA version, and John Riel Casimero (FIL) successfully defended his WBO bantamweight title by taking out Duke Micah (GHA) in three. Meanwhile in Germany, Mairis Briedis (LAT) won the World Boxing Super Series Cruiserweight final over Yuniel Dorticos (CUB), and took the IBF and vacant The Ring cruiserweight titles home (BoxingScene)
- Horror crash. Motocross star, Arminas Jasikonis (LIT) has been placed in an induced coma after crashing at the Lombardy GP, won by Jeremy Seewer (SUI), race 1 winner. Tim Gajser (SLO) took race 2, and Larissa Papenmeier (GER) took the Women’s Round. In Moto GP, Fabio Quartararo (FRA) took the Catalan GP and now leads the Championship. The FIM Endurance World Championship was won by Suzuki Endurance Racing Team (16th world title) with Etienne Masson (FRA), Gregg Black (FRA) and Xavier Simeon (BEL) and the 12 Hours of Estoril were won by YART Yamaha with Karel Hanika (CZE), Marvin Fritz (GER) and Niccolò Canepa (ITA). The FIM Long Track World Championship was won by Lukas Fienhage (GER). MXGP has the latest report on Jasikonis (MXGP).
- The 24 Hours that were less. The ADAC 24 Hours of Nürburgring were won by BMW for the first time in 10 years. The race was suspended for over nine hours overnight due to torrential rain, which made two Mercedes-Benz drivers crash while leading: Manuel Metzger (GER) and Raffaele Marciello (ITA). This was followed by an Audi crash and spin, also while leading: Dries Vanthoor (BEL) and Christopher Haase (GER). Rowe Racing’s Nick Catsburg (NED), Nick Yelloly (ENG) and Alexander Sims (ENG) kept it on track and won. Also in Europe, Valtteri Bottas (FIN) took the F1 Russian GP over Max Verstappen (NED) and Lewis Hamilton (ENG), who was penalized for starting grid infractions . He was dominated in race pace by Bottas, anyway. In America, Ricky Taylor (USA) and Hélio Castro-Neves (BRA) won their third straight IMSA race, at Mid-Ohio (Watch NBC’s highlights).
- Lightning on the ice. Tampa Bay is not a place known for winter sports but their Lightning won the Stanley Cup by defeating a team from another place not known for winter sports: Dallas Stars, in a 4-2 series. This is their second Stanley Cup. Defenseman, Victor Hedman (SWE) took the Playoffs MVP Honors. Captain Steven Stamkos (CAN) barely played in the Finals series out of an injury but was presented with the trophy. This was a very tough end of season, fully played in “Bubbles” that in some cases did not meet players’ expectations – ESPN has a story with the players’ stories inside the bubble.
- Vulgar unsportsmanship. Jan Błachowicz (POL) beat Dominick Reyes (USA/MEX) with a TKO by punches, to win the the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. In the fight for the UFC Middleweight Championship, Israel Adesanya (NZL/NIG) beat Paulo Costa (BRA) by punches TKO but regretfully engaged in vulgar celebrations throughout the fight and breakdanced as his opponent was Knocked Out. Costa has demanded a rematch (ESPN)
