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A Russia-Ukraine Story 10 Years in the Making

PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 15, 2019) — As Russia and Ukraine dominate the news, both countries have become inextricably linked to the current impeachment inquiry in Washington, DC. Up the road in Philadelphia, two world champion boxers — one Russian, one Ukrainian — are preparing to meet in a light heavyweight unification bout. As their home countries wage war against each other, their thoughts are 5,000 miles away, focused not on the opponent’s country, but on the man he will meet in the center of the ring at Temple University’s Liacouras Center on Friday. The winner will leave the ring as WBC/ IBF light heavyweight world champion. Oleksandr Gvozdyk (17-0, 14 KOs) is the current WBC light heavyweight world champion, having defeated Adonis Stevenson via knockout in the 11th round of their December 2018 bout in Quebec, Canada. IBF light heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev (14-0, 14 KOs) defeated Gvozdyk when the two met as amateurs, with Beterbiev representing Russia and Gvozdyk representing Ukraine. Ukraine Arrives on the American Stage In recent weeks, calls for President Donald Trump’s impeachment became deafening after Ukraine released the transcript of a phone call between its president, former comedian Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump, which included an exchange about former Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s son, Hunter. Trump urged the newly elected leader to investigate the younger Biden. The impeachment inquiry will examine whether Trump held up $400 million in aid to Ukraine with the intention of releasing it when the country began an investigation of Hunter Biden, and one into Ukraine’s role in the 2016 U.S. Presidential election — a conspiracy theory, which Trump and his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, have repeatedly pushed publicly. The premise is that CrowdStrike, a California-based company that was brought in to investigate the Russian hack of the Democratic party’s servers that election year, is owned by a Ukrainian. Zelensky, who played the President of Ukraine in a television show called Servant of the People for four years, was elected in a landslide victory in April and began his term as Ukraine’s sixth president in May. He’s an unwitting participant in American politics, which was made clear during a 10-hour, informal question-and-answer session last week with reporters in Ukraine. He spoke dismissively about the potential that Ukraine interfered with the 2016 election, saying he would have to be shown a reason to proceed with any joint “theoretical” investigation. Like the boxers training in Philadelphia, who are focused on their fight and not on war and politics, his mind is elsewhere — working to end the conflict with Russia on Ukraine’s Eastern border. His constituents, the people of Ukraine, are not focused on American politics and elections. “The Trump phone call is being covered right now in Ukraine,” said Petro Shugurov, former Ring Magazine Ukraine writer and contributing editor who lives in the country. “Mostly just that Zelensky was involved. The Ukrainian people have enough to worry about with our own politics.” The American and the Canadian While the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has a complicated and lengthy history, the roads that led Beterbiev and Gvozdyk to Philadelphia are well-traveled. “The boxing federations of Russia and Ukraine are very similar,” said Shugurov. “They still operate like they did during the days of the USSR. The Russian Federation is like God Almighty to boxers in Russia. There are a lot of programs to support them, and they receive stipends.” Both boxers were decorated amateurs. Beterbiev had more than 300 amateur fights and won gold medals at both the World Championships (2009, Milan) and European Championships (2006 and 2010). Gvozdyk had over 250 amateur bouts and won a bronze medal for Ukraine at the 2012 London Olympics. Gvozdyk is followed closely by those in his home country of Ukraine and Ukrainians stateside, despite moving to California five years ago to focus on his career: “One month ago, we went to the Ukrainian Festival. There were a lot of Ukrainian people there and I was surprised that a lot of them knew me," Gvozdyk said. "We spent a couple hours there, signing autographs and taking photos.” Gvozdyk, whose father had a brief career as an amateur boxer in Ukraine, is living out his dream in California. “When I asked my wife to come to California with me, to leave her home, she said the most important thing is that I’m going to go with you,” Gvozdyk said of his wife, Daria. He acknowledges that it can sometimes be difficult to be away from family as the two raise a family, but the kids — two boys and one girl, ages 3-10 — have traveled the world with their parents. “Our kids are the most quiet kids on the plane when they travel. They don’t cry," Gvozdyk said. "They know it’s pointless." Politics is not a topic that Gvozdyk is anxious to discuss, going so far as to say he doesn’t know what’s happening. “It doesn’t bother me,” he said. “I’m just an athlete. I don’t want to make any parallels to the fight. I am living in California, he is living in Montreal. I just don’t know anything about it.” “Teddy Atlas, Gvozdyk’s trainer, runs a tight ship,” said J Russell Peltz, who is co-promoting the championship fight with Top Rank. “It doesn’t surprise me that he’s not focused on what’s happening on the other side of the world.” “Any war is bad for people, but I really don’t want to talk about it,” said Beterbiev, who relocated to Montreal six years ago to further his career. “It’s far from me in Canada.” Shugurov hints at other motives at why the boxers don’t want to talk about life in the former Soviet bloc: “They are high-profile athletes and they don’t want to upset anyone. They don’t want to have problems like those that have happened with other boxers. “Ukrainians and Russians are everywhere and they are like a network. Fighters as a whole don’t want to get involved. They want to make money and not have problems. Beterbiev, he’s Canadian now. Gvozdyk is American.” Beterbiev’s family life nearly mirrors that of his opponent. Married with four children ages 2-8, Beterbiev lost his father to an accident when he was only 16. His father was just starting to enjoy his son’s career. “A couple days before he died, I won a bronze medal in a tournament," Beterbiev said. "He said to me, 'You won this fight. Now, go. I believe in you.’” Raising a family away from home hasn’t been easy for Beterbiev and his wife, Medena, though Beterbiev’s mother has traveled to Canada to help. Much Can Change in Ten Years Ten years ago, Ukraine was led by Viktor Yushchenko, who had survived an assassination attempt by poison five years prior. There was political chaos and a gas dispute with Russia. Putin was not yet President of Russia, but it was understood that he was in charge of the country. There was tension between the two countries, but nothing that matched the war and hostility they are facing today. “We had beat Germany together,” said Shugurov. “We fought Nazis together. A whole lot of people believed we should be one country. While Ukraine had a Western-friendly leader, there was a brotherhood between the people of the countries.” The U.S. had a different president, one not embroiled in an impeachment inquiry permeated by Russian and Ukrainian ties. Ten years ago, two fighters, one from Ukraine, one from Russia, met in a boxing ring with the Russian besting the Ukrainian. The two fighters, now husbands and fathers, undefeated world champion professionals, living away from home and seeking the glory that comes with unifying world titles, will meet in the most pivotal fight of their respective careers. It’s a fight that transcends politics and war, whose winner, at least in the boxing world, will be declared unified light heavyweight champion. ###### Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Peltz Boxing, tickets priced at $150, $90, $75 and $50 (not including applicable fees) can be purchased at the Liacouras Center Box Office, www.liacourascenter.com or charge by phone at 800-298-4200.

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Olympian Tabal to defend her SEA Games title

OLYMPIAN Mary Joy Tabal has ramped up her preparations for the 30th Southeast Asian Games with the help of three coaches as she heads into the final stretch of her training. Aside from her personal coach John Duenas, the Cebuana Olympian is getting help from two Japanese coaches Yuhei Sato and Akio Usami, who are expected to aid the reigning SEA Games medalist retain her crown as marathon queen of the biennial meet. Tabal is obviously learning from the best. Sato is the head of the women's long distance team at the Nippon Sports Science University, where Tabal went to train last Sept. 4, while Usami is a marathon veteran of the 1968, 1972 and the 1976 Summer Olympics. Tabal, who handed the Philippines’ its first gold medal in the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, where she finished with a time of 2:48:26, is hoping to refine her tempo running training until the first week of November in aid of her endurance training. “We’re currently in the thick of our preparations, which means mileage is getting higher, track workouts are getting harder, legs are getting heavier, miles per miles per week, long runs, long intervals, being able to run on tired legs, mind over matter going to our peak period,” said the 30-year-old Tabal. “I have never been this focused and motivated to train harder for this was my longest SEA Games’ preparation,” added Tabal, who is hoping to repeat her dominant SEAG win in Kuala Lumpur. Tabal’s time in games two years ago was seven minutes ahead of eventual silver medalist Vietnam’s Hoang Thi Thanh. She was also nearly 10 minutes ahead of Natthaya Thanaronnawat, the 2015 gold winner from Thailand. Tabal last went to the NSSU back in 2016 when she was preparing for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. “The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has been supportive of Tabal and the rest of the Philippine team, especially for this SEA Games which we will be hosting,” PSC Chairman William Ramirez said. “The recent developments, where we had international victories will be an inspiration to all of us.” “Our daily routine would be, training twice a day but a certain period where we need to spend for a 10-day training camp, we train thrice a day. During this time, we are taught how to overcome fatigues, and discipline for ourselves, discipline for the training program,” said Tabal, who is up as early as 5:30 a.m. to train in a stretch that takes her until 4:15 p.m. “I have nothing else in mind now than gold. I only have to focus on this event, so I will be giving everything can,” Tabal said. “For now, I don’t really focus on who’s my biggest opponent, because for me, every representative from each nation is my competitor for the gold. I just focus on getting better, stronger and preparing my body for the action.”

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FEU battles La Salle to draw, keeps UAAP Women’s Chess lead

Far Eastern University fought defending champion La Salle to a 2-2 split to cling on to the solo lead after six rounds of the UAAP Season 82 Women’s Chess Tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Sunday. The Lady Tams took the early edge after former national champion Shania Mae Mendoza agreed to a 36-move draw with fellow Olympiad vet Marie Antoinette San Diego of a Queen’s Pawn London System on board one and Rizalyn Jasmine Tejada flattened Franchell Eds Javier’s Pirc Defense in 45 moves on board four. But the Lady Archers came charging back with Ella Grace Moulic rallying his team with gritty escape win over Bea Mendoza in 50 moves of a Caro-Kann duel on board three and Samantha Glo Revita halving the point with Marife dela Torre in 71 moves of a quiet Slav formation on board four that sealed the come-from-behind standoff. After six rounds, FEU thus clamped their stranglehold of the lead with 18 points, or three points ahead of La Salle with 15. Ateneo engaged National University in a dogfight before ending up with an entertaining 2-2 draw as all four boards ended in victories. The Lady Eagles then watched the University of Santo Tomas Lady Woodpushers fall to the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, 1.5-2.5, to zoom to second place with 14.5 points. UST slipped from No. 3 to No. 4 with 14 points. The only other game pitting Adamson and University of the East likewise wound up in a 2-2 result. UAAP Season 82 Men's Chess FEU blanks UP, keeps grip of UAAP Men’s Chess lead UAAP Season 82 Men's Chess - FEU - MORADO, JETH ROMY.jpg Far Eastern University white-washed University of the Philippines, 4-0, to keep its lofty perch after six rounds in the men’s division of the UAAP Season 82 Men's Chess tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Sunday. Reigning national juniors champion and World Juniors Championship-bound Jeth Romy Morado led the carnage with a win on top board while RK Sevillano, JM Jacutina and John Jasper Laxamana followed suit with triumphs on the lower in helping hike the reigning champions’ total to 18 points. The Morayta-based woodpushers are now four points atop the field that is headed by University of Santo Tomas, which turned back National University, 2.5-1.5, to stay at distant second with 14 points. Julius Gonzales and Melito Ocsan, Jr. had hurdled both their opponents on the top two boards before Brylle Genver Vinluan wrapped it all up with a draw with King Alexander Reyes on board four. Samson Lim III had a chance to make it a 3-1 win with a draw but he suffered a mental block out and forgot to claim the standoff via the “50-move captureless” rule and dropped a heartbreaking defeat instead to Jayson Danday on board three. “I scolded him (Lim) because he was should have not missed claim the draw because it happened with his teammate right beside him,” said UST coach International Master Ronald Dableo. For FEU coach Jayson Gonzales, a Grandmaster, it is not yet time to celebrate. “It’s too early, the first round is not even finished yet. We have to continue to work harder and stay more focused,” said Gonzales. In other results, Ateneo clawed bitter rival La Salle, 2.5-1.5, and Adamson overcame University of the East, 2.5-1.5. UAAP Season 82 High School Chess Runaway UE train slows down with draw, but stays on top UAAP Season 82 Boys Chess - UE - PARRO, FRANCIS.jpg University of the East’s runaway train got slowed down by a 2-2 standoff with National University but remained unperturbed on top after six rounds of the 82nd UAAP high school boys’ chess tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Sunday. Lee Roi Palma continued his giant-slaying ways on top board as he stunned ASEAN Youth campaigner Chester Neil Reyes in 55 moves using the Two Knights set up with black Francis Roi Parro delivered the other win—a 60-move result over Joseph Lawrence Rivera of a Budapest Gambit—on third board. It was another resounding win for Palma, who has destroyed everyone in his path including ASEAN Age Group champion FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri of defending champion Far Eastern University a few rounds back. But the Bullpups, third placers a season ago, denied the Junior Warriors their sixth straight win after Mark Gerald Reyes and Dennis Gutierrez, Jr. downed Noel Geronimo and John Kenneth Gelva on second and fourth boards, respectively, to escape with a draw. It didn’t, however, nudge the UE juggernaut a bit as it continued to lead the way with 18.5 points, a full five-point edge ahead of NU with 13.5 points. In other results, University of the East edged Adamson, 2.5-1.5, while a Nouri-paced FEU battled La Salle-Zobel to a 2-2 draw.

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PVL Youth Festival in Bacolod up

THERE will be 16 teams competing from different cities of Negros Occidental in the Premier Volleyball League Youth Festival on Sunday (Oct. 6) at the St. John Institute in Bacolod City. The first-ever girls under-12 tournament is part of the festivities for the upcoming PVL Open Conference doubleheader in the City of Smiles on Oct.13 at the USLS Coliseum. Among the teams joining are Pulupandan, San Carlos, Bago City and Silay as well as Bacolod-based schools University of St. La Salle, Tay Tung, SJI and Bago. The Youth Festival is a provincial wide effort of PVL to give more opportunity for the young to get access to competitive games. "This is in the effort of growing the local talent for volleyball and create an avenue for more opportunities for the young through playing sports," said organizer Bea Tan. Defending champion Creamline will take on PetroGazz in a rematch of the Reinforced Conference championship at 4 p.m., right after Pacifictown-Army and BanKo-Perlas take the floor at 2 p.m. Also in tap is a coaching seminar on Oct. 11-12, as well as mall visits by PetroGazz, Pacifictown-Army and Creamline at the Ayala Capitol and a welcome dinner at NGC Bacolod on Oct 12. Those two explosive matches will have a lot of implications in the semifinals race as the season-ending tournament reach the crucial phase of the second round. A long-time promoter of volleyball in the different areas of the country, organizing GRID Athletic Sports is bringing to the people of Negros exciting PVL volleyball games for them to watch thrilling and action-packed games between the league's powerhouses live in time for the MassKara Festival. In partnership with PVL, GRID Athletic Sports will also conduct several other activities lined up to strengthen the volleyball program locally through coaching seminars, grassroots volleyball workshop and motivational guest speaking from volleyball athletes all happening prior to the much awaited games. For ticket inquiries, please contact 0916-2818162

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Jolo Revilla & Angelica Alita can't wait to get married

Ngayong Valentine's Day, February 14, inihayag ni Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla ang relasyon nila ni Binibining Pilipinas 2016 first runner-up Angelica Alita. Ito ay matapos ang ilang linggong espekulasyon tungkol sa mga pagkakataong namataang magkasama ang dalawa. Ipinakita ni Jolo, 30, sa kanyang Instagram post ang isang litrato kung saan nakaakbay siya kay Angelica, 23, sa isang di tinukoy na lugar. Sabi ni Jolo: "Angel, happy valentine's day! Totoong masaya ang puso ko ngayon because I have you in my life. "You've been caring, loving and supportive to me. "I love you and will always will. [heart emoji]." Natutuwang inamin naman ni Angelica na sinorpresa siya ni Jolo ngayong Valentine's Day. Sa kanyang hiwalay na Instagram Story, ipinakita niya ang bouquet of roses na galing sa binata. Kalakip nito ang isang gif na nagpapakita ng kilig ng dalaga sa sweet gesture ni Jolo. Aniya: "I got a little confused when I saw you running towards the door, the only time I saw you run that fast was when you heard the binatog vendor pass by [peace, laughing with tears emojis] "May pasabog ka pala [double hearts emoji] "Thank you bebi. Happy valentine's day. @jolo_revilla"

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Tyson Fury v Otto Wallin: Swedish fighter not bothered by critics

Otto Wallin believes he is at elite heavyweight level and insists he is not bothered by criticism of his ability as he prepares to fight Tyson Fury. The Swede, 28, faces Britain's Fury in Las Vegas on 14 September. Anthony Joshua - who has sparred Wallin extensively - recently said he would face criticism if he were to choose to fight "lower-tier heavyweights".

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NBA rookies seem to be down on Zion Williamson's long-term career outlook, and scouts don't necessarily disagree

NBA.com conducted its annual rookie survey on Monday, asking this year's class of draftees seven questions about their fellow 2019 draft picks. In looking at the responses, one thing stands out among everything: Only five percent of rookies believe No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson will end up having the best career. Here's how the voting broke down:

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Chess tourney set in Gapo

Photo shows from left to right: 13-times Philippines Open champion Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., Philippine Executive Chess Association President Dr. Jenny Mayor and engineer Antonio "Tony" Carreon Balinas in a souvenir photo Chess tourney set in Gapo by Marlon Bernardino

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Catbalogan chess tourney on

by Marlon Bernardino THE staging for the 2nd Torrevillas Knights Cup Open Rapid and Kiddies chess tournament gets underway on August 21 at the Samar College in Catbalogan City, Samar. The one-day tournament is being held in celebration of the Feast of Saint Bartholomew 2019, backed up by Torrevillas Knights in cooperation with the Catbalogan City Chess Club and the Hermano Mayor of the Feast of Saint Bartholomew 2019.

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Eddie Hearn reacts to Ruiz wanting more money for Joshua rematch

Andy Ruiz Jr. will be respected as a world champion for his rematch with Anthony Joshua on December 7th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, says Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn. However, the 29-year-old Ruiz Jr. might not get a bump in pay like he reportedly wants.

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Jennifer Aniston Is "Super Nostalgic" for Her Time on Friends and So Are We

Jennifer Aniston is aware just how special Friends is. Speaking to InStyle to celebrate the magazine's 25th anniversary, Aniston opened up about her time on everyone's favorite sitcom, and what she misses most about working with the dream team. She explained, "I started to find my confidence when I was on Friends, for sure," and continued, "In a way, being on that show was the ultimate trust exercise. There was comfort in numbers there, so we all held each other up."

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Carl Lewis backs equal pay in sports and attacks 'racist' Donald Trump

Nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis said on Monday that female athletes deserve fair and equal pay and criticized Donald Trump for being “racist” and “misogynistic.”

Lewis spoke in the Peruvian capital of Lima, where he will present the 100m and long jump medals at the Pan American Games. He also said that he became an athlete thanks to his mother, who competed in the first Pan Am Games in Buenos Aires in 1951.

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