Issa, Author at USA Trendz

Josh Sens, senior writer (@joshsens): Seems like an easy decision for Kim. Safe and sensible. So much so that I can’t imagine he really gave the PGA Tour much serious consideration. The route he has chosen is essentially a free roll. Guaranteed money. If he plays well, it’s heroic. If he struggles, he has a good excuse.

Jack Hirsh, assistant editor (@JR_HIRSHey): I agree with Sens. Kim will likely at least be getting the value of his insurance policy (reportedly $10 million) upfront. Do I think he wants to fly all the way to Saudi Arabia to go back to competitive golf? It’s interesting, to say the least. For LIV it’s a no-brainer because, at least for this week’s event and its next U.S. event (the week before the Masters in Miami), lots of golf fans will no doubt tune in to see the man who has become something of a mythical figure in the game. The timing is questionable given that LIV’s next two events are both in Asia, meaning the broadcasts will either be in the wee hours of the morning or on tape delay in other major markets.

CELEB NEWS

“Serena Williams was so pissed”, “Venus Williams destroyed that unfit mother” – Fans recall Williams sisters clash in 2018 Indian Wells 3R

Tennis fans on the internet recently recalled Venus Williams taking down her younger sister Serena Williams at Indian Wells 2018.

Venus and Serena clashed for a spot in the fourth round of the Indian Wells 2018. Notably, this was Serena’s comeback tournament after a 14-month-long pregnancy break. She welcomed her first daughter Olympia with her husband and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian on September 1, 2017.

BOXING

Serena Williams was so pissed”, “Venus Williams destroyed that unfit mother” – Fans recall Williams sisters clash in 2018 Indian Wells

Tennis fans on the internet recently recalled Venus Williams taking down her younger sister Serena Williams at Indian Wells 2018.

Venus and Serena clashed for a spot in the fourth round of the Indian Wells 2018. Notably, this was Serena’s comeback tournament after a 14-month-long pregnancy break. She welcomed her first daughter Olympia with her husband and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian on September 1, 2017.

Serena entered the match on the back of two impressive wins over Zarina Diyas and Kiki Bertens whereas Venus had downed Sorana Cirstea after receiving a bye in the opening round.

Venus Williams secured the opening set in a straightforward with a solitary break of her sister’s serve in the sixth game. The following set, however, witnessed more drama as Serena Williams fought to stay in the match.

The second set witnessed five breaks of serves with three of them clinched by the seven-time Grand Slam champion to close the set and match at 6-3, 6-4 within one and half hours.

Fans on X (formerly Twitter) recollected their memories of the match ahead of the Indian Wells 2024.

BOXING

Francis Ngannou’s ‘unquantifiable power’ will rattle Anthony Joshua more easily than Tyson Fury, says Dan Hardy

A heavyweight champion in the UFC, Ngannou made his professional boxing debut in a non-title bout against Tyson Fury, the reigning WBC champion.

Ngannou not only put Fury down in the third round but he was competitive throughout their 10 rounder and was only defeated on split decision.

That was a shock to the boxing world. Ngannou hopes to spring another surprise when he fights Anthony Joshua on Friday March 8, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Even though Joshua is a former unified WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion, former UFC fighter Dan Hardy believes it’s a fight that Ngannou can win.

BOXING

Mike Tyson hasn’t coached Francis Ngannou for Anthony Joshua showdown

Ex-UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou is currently preparing for his second boxing fight following his stunning debut against Tyson Fury last October. Ngannou recruited ‘Iron Mike’ to help him train for the Fury fight and the boxing legend’s services paid off as Ngannou put his rival down to only lose by a single point in a controversial decision.

Ngannou has been in Saudi Arabia for the past five weeks training at Tyson’s new boxing gym in Riyadh. “To be honest with this fight since my training was here [Riyadh], we didn’t get Mike Tyson here,” Ngannou told Mirror Fighting. “He came in like three times [for Fury], he was more advising. He would come and watch our training, we would be there to give advice.”

Ngannou and Tyson did reunite over the weekend as they sat next to each other whilst cageside for the PFL vs Bellator Championships event in Riyadh. The first major MMA event in Saudi Arabia cemented Ngannou’s opponent for his cage fight return as he will fa s Renan Ferreira after the Brazilian knocked out Ryan Bader in just 21-seconds.

BOXING

Claressa Shields achieves historic victory in Saudi Arabia’s first female professional MMA bout

Undisputed boxing world champion Claressa Shields secured her second triumph in MMA with a hard-fought split decision win over Kelsey De Santis in Riyadh. This historic matchup marked the inaugural professional MMA bout in Saudi Arabia featuring two women.

Shields, a three-weight world champion in boxing, displayed visible emotion upon being confirmed as the victor. Reflecting on the challenges faced during her training camp, she expressed, “There were days when I was literally in tears. I didn’t want to go back because it was so hard.”

The MMA spectacle unfolded 18 months after British fighter Ramla Ali and the Dominican Republic’s Crystal Garcia Nova made history as the first female boxers to compete in a professional fight in the kingdom.

Shields participated in the undercard of the Professional Fighters League’s champion versus champion event, a platform where Bellator’s best square off against the PFL’s finest.

Despite recent reforms, women’s rights remain a significant concern in the country. Human rights groups assert that sports, including events like this, are being employed by the Saudi government to divert attention from enduring reputation challenges, labeling it as “sportswashing” due to investments in high-profile events.

CELEB NEWS

Golf is in trouble. Tiger Woods could be part of the solution.

The PGA Tour and Saudi-funded LIV Golf continue to throw money around to try to ensure the presence of top players in their events. PGA Tour sponsors are not at all happy with the watered-down fields they are paying for each week.

The television networks are equally unhappy. Other than the four major championships, there’s no Phil Mickelson or Dustin Johnson, no Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Sergio Garcia or Bryson DeChambeau playing in any week-to-week PGA Tour events.

On the flip side, LIV still has no TV contract with a major network. It always will have the fact that it is a blatant example of sportswashing hanging over its head. And it’s tough to take seriously, with its 54-hole tournaments that have no cut and announcers trying to sell the notion of team play.

Easy. It needs a new commissioner. This is not meant to be an attack on the current commissioner, Jay Monahan, who is charming and smart and a great salesman. In normal times, he would be a perfectly adequate commissioner. But these haven’t been normal times for several years now.

CELEB NEWS

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal the unlikely inspiration for Pep Guardiola

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has revealed the unlikely inspirations behind his success in the dugout, as he admitted he has looked beyond football as he looks to sustain the club’s trophy hunt. The Spanish master has ackowledged that he looks to the all-conquering tennis superstars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as role models in his quest.

Roger Federer Congratulates Rafael Nadal on Breaking Grand Slam Record

His transition from a midfield maestro to a legendary figure on the touchline has seen him emerge as one of the most influential coaching talents in history. Taking tactical inspriation from the seminal work of former Blaugrana boss Johan Cruyff, he instilled his trademark style at Barça en route to two Champions League titles between 2008 and 2012.

After leaving Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta behind over a decade ago, he further proved his managerial prowess with three Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich in Germany. One of the crowning moments of his coaching career came last season, however, as he finally ended Manchester City’s wait for a European Cup as part of a historic

CELEB NEWS

Rafa Nadal and Djokovic meet on the same flight to Indian Wells: 46 ‘Grand Slams’ in the same cabin

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic found themselves on a transatlantic flight to Los Angeles, the first leg of their journey to Indian Wells – the esteemed venue for the first Masters 1000 tournament of the season.

This unexpected reunion occurred as Djokovic wrapped up his training stint in Spain, specifically at the Puente Romano Tennis Club in Marbella.

The tennis titans, boasting an astounding 46 Grand Slam titles and 76 Masters 1000 victories collectively, shared the same cabin, creating an atmosphere brimming with tennis greatness, encompassing a total of 190 titles.

Remarkably, the last time these two racquet legends traveled together was en route to the Adelaide bubble from Barcelona for the Australian Open back in 2021.

BOXING

Anthony Joshua’s nerves are ‘very important’ to Francis Ngannou ahead of fight

Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou believes that Anthony Joshua’s nerves could help him in their upcoming fight.

Ngannou is set to face Joshua, a two-time heavyweight champion, in his second professional boxing match in less than two weeks. His debut last October saw him surprise many by knocking Tyson Fury down and only losing by one point in a decision that sparked debate.

Fury had tried to rattle Ngannou before their fight by making fun of his body and calling him a “sausage” multiple times. However, Joshua has taken a different approach, saying that despite Ngannou only having one boxing match under his belt, this crossover fight is the biggest challenge he has ever faced.

“Anthony Joshua never trash talks, his personality is more serious, unlike Tyson Fury who is more like a playboy,” Ngannou told Mirror Fighting. “I think when it comes to fighting, they both know how to fight and that’s what I’m focused on.