Newark's Shakur Stevenson wins WBO interim junior lightweight title

Newark New Jersey's Shakur Stevenson (16-0, 8 KOs) dominated every round of his fight with Jeremiah Nakathila , cruising to a shutout unanimous decision victory to claim the WBO interim junior lightweight title.

All three judges scored the bout 120-107 in favor of Stevenson, who registered a knockdown of Nakathila (21-2, 17 KOs) in the fourth round from a short right hook.

Stevenson outlanded Nakathila 114 to 28 in total punches. Stevenson also landed 46% of punches, as compared to Nakathila's 12%. Stevenson appeared to hurt Nakathila several times in the early rounds but failed to finish him.

Stevenson is already looking ahead to his title opportunity, which should come in his next fight. He's the No.1 contender for both the WBO and WBC junior lightweight belts, and he has been the mandatory challenger for the WBO title for several months now.

Stevenson's promoter, Top Rank has paperwork already drawn up for Stevenson to return to the ring in late fall or early winter 2021 against a fellow southpaw in WBO junior lightweight champion Jamel Herring for his title.

Dianne Durham, first Black national gymnastics champion, to be inducted into USAG Hall of Fame

USA Gymnastics announced Friday that Dianne Durham, the first Black woman to win a USA Gymnastics national championship and a gymnastics instructor in Chicago, will be a member of its Hall of Fame Class of 2021.

Durham, who died in February at age 52, was a pioneer in American gymnastics. Her victory in the all-around at the 1983 national championships as a teenager was the first by a Black woman.

An injury prevented her from competing in the 1984 Olympic Trials.

“I think between her and Mary Lou Retton, they felt they introduced more of a power gymnastics,” Durham’s husband, Tom Drahozal, told the Associated Press in February. “Dianne was a pioneer for Black gymnasts as well. ... She paved the way for others.”

After her career in competition ended, Durham went on to own Skyline Gymnastics in Chicago and was a gymnastics instructor at Morgan Park Academy Summer Camp.

[SOURCE: CHICAGO SUN TIMES]

AFL-CIO President to Congress: Pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act

Statement from AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder:

One year ago, George Floyd was murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis. Working people throughout America—from large urban cities to small rural towns—protested peacefully, marched down streets and declared three words: Black Lives Matter. Today, we continue to demand action to root out systemic racism in all forms. On the anniversary of his murder, the labor movement joins our allies in calling on Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. This bill is not only a legislative priority, it’s our nation’s moral obligation. Elected leaders should work together with all stakeholders, including America’s unions, to finally make police reform a reality.

Claressa Shields wins MMA debut

Claressa Shields, the world champion boxer, won her MMA debut Thursday night with a third-round TKO over Brittney Elkin.

Elkin controlled most of the first two rounds, keeping Shields pinned on her back.

But in the third and final round, Shields reversed the story, got on top of Elkin and unloaded punches until the referee called the fight at 1:44 of the third round.

Fighting in the 155-pound women’s lightweight division, Shields (1-0 MMA) showed inexperience during takedowns but displayed power with punches. The punches came in a flurry in the third round when Shields got on top of Elkin and let her right hand go to work.

“I feel like I’ve been dreaming,’’ Shields said, beaming during a post-fight interview. “This is crazy.’’

Her second MMA fight is scheduled for August, and she is expected to fight twice next year and join the PFL’s regular season format in 2023. But on Thursday night, Shields was relishing the moment.

[SOURCE: USA TODAY]

Maya Wiley jumps to 2nd in NYC Mayor’s Race Poll

New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Maya Wiley saw a massive jump in support this week following major endorsements from progressives and scandals surrounding several of her rivals, according to a new PIX11, NewsNation, Emerson College poll released Wednesday.