Pacquiao takes political time out to return to ring
Senator Manny Pacquiao takes a brief break from politics to challenge Jessie Vargas for the WBO welterweight title at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday.
After claiming a unanimous decision over Tim Bradley in their rubber match in April, Pacquiao said he was heading into retirement from boxing and focusing on his political career.
Pacquiao, 37, won his May election to the senate in the Philippines but decided on another challenge in the ring and found it against Vargas, who is 10 years younger and enjoys a 4 1/2 inch height advantage and 4-inch advantage in reach.
Boxing’s only eight-division world champion, Senator Pacquiao (58-6-2) is vying to become a three-time WBO welterweight champion.
“I feel I still have a lot to prove. I am not done with boxing. I will continue to keep fighting as long as I love boxing and boxing still loves me,” Pacquiao said during the run-up to the bout. “I do not feel old.
“I am fighting for history. I was the first sitting congressman to win a world title. I want to be the first senator to become world champion.”
Pacquiao believes he is ready despite his divided focus.
Jets place D Myers on IR
The Winnipeg Jets placed defenseman Tyler Myers on injured reserve Friday with a lower-body injury.
The move is retroactive to Oct. 28. Myers has missed the last three games.
Myers, 26, has two goals with six penalty minutes through his first eight games. Last season with the Jets, he recorded 27 points (nine goals, 18 assists) and 72 penalty minutes in 73 games.
The Jets also recalled forward Nic Petan from the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.
Petan, 21, has played nine games for Manitoba this season, registering four goals, one assist and four penalty minutes.
Pelicans’ Cunningham suspended one game
New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham has been suspended for one game after pleading guilty to negligent driving while exhibiting the effects of having consumed alcohol, the NBA announced Friday.
The 6-foot-8, 230-pound Cunningham will miss Friday night’s game against the Phoenix Suns.
Cunningham, 29, was cited on suspicion of a DUI in Clark County, Wash., in June and pleaded guilty in August.
In five games (two starts) this season, Cunningham is averaging 5.6 points and 3.6 rebounds for the winless Pelicans (0-5). He is in his third season with the Pelicans.
Royals pick up closer’s option
The Kansas City Royals picked up the $10 million club option on All-Star closer Wade Davis on Friday.
Kansas City also exercised the $6.5 million club option on shortstop Alcides Escobar for 2017.
Meanwhile, designated hitter Kendrys Morales and right-hander Edinson Volquez declined their mutual options. Kansas City also declined its mutual option on Kris Medlen despite the right-hander exercising it on his end.
Morales, Volquez and Medlen will all become free agents.
Mariners claim LHP Kiekhefer off waivers
The Seattle Mariners claimed left-handed relief pitcher Dean Kiekhefer off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.
Kiekhefer, 27, made 26 relief appearances with St. Louis after making his major league debut on May 14. Over five stints with the Cardinals, he held opponents scoreless in 20 of 26 appearances. Overall, he was 0-0 with a 5.32 ERA over 22 innings.
Kiekhefer also appeared in 29 games with Triple-A Memphis, going 6-1 with two saves and a 2.08 ERA over 34 2/3 innings.
Kiekhefer was originally selected by the Cardinals in the 36th round of the 2010 draft out of the University of Louisville.