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According to BoxingScene.com, newly crowned undisputed women’s heavyweight boxing champion, Claressa Shields is vacating her WBO light heavyweight title.
Shields made to decide on which title to hold on to.
She opted to hold onto her heavyweight title.
WBO President Gustavo Olivieri announced that news.
“Per our rules, no WBO champion may hold titles in two different weight divisions simultaneously,” Olivieri posted on social media.
Shields won the vacant WBO heavyweight title and a couple of other vacant belts to become the undisputed heavyweight champion on Feb. 2 against Danielle Perkins.
The Flint, Mich. native moved to 16-0 (3 KOs) and added to a career that has included becoming undisputed twice at the middleweight level and once at the junior middleweight level.
She also won titles at 168 pounds and 175 pounds.
Shields won the WBO’s vacant light heavyweight title – alongside the WBC’s heavyweight title, which confusingly is for women who weigh more than 168 pounds – with her July 2024 win over Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse.
The athletic commission of Michigan says that Shields tested positive for marijuana use after the bout against Perkins. Shields said she has never used marijuana.
She suggested that the positive test could have been caused by secondhand smoke in the arena or contact with other people on fight night.
Shields has since appealed the suspension.
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Teams that make sense for Cooper Kupp after release from Rams
To finally end the speculation that started in the middle of the 2024 season, the Rams and Cooper Kupp are officially parting ways. And since Los Angeles was unable to find a suitable trade, they decided to do right by the Super Bowl LVI MVP and release him on Wednesday, allowing him to sign with any team. It's fair to wonder what kind of value Kupp has on the open market and how he's viewed by NFL teams. He has a resume that may argue for the Hall of Fame someday, but he hasn't reached 1,000 yards since his triple crown 2021 season when he led the league in receptions (145), yards (1,947) and touchdowns (16). Kupp is coming off a season in which he caught only 67 balls for 710 yards with six scores in 12 games. With Kupp now free and available, which teams still make sense for the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year? Even though we looked at possible destinations for Kupp in early February, the landscape of the league has changed a lot since then. Dallas Cowboys It's well-documented that Jerry Jones and the Cowboys are hesitant to bring in high-priced free agents. However, Kupp's situation may make him affordable enough for Dallas to be interested. He would also be a nice second option to pair with CeeDee Lamb and help Dak Prescott move the chains. With pressure to do something big, Kupp could fall right in Jones' lap and become a Cowboy. Seattle Seahawks Now that Seattle has shipped Geno Smith to Las Vegas and DK Metcalf to Pittsburgh and released veteran Tyler Lockett, the Seahawks need to build around new quarterback Sam Darnold. And giving Darnold a security blanket type weapon like Kupp would be a solid start in providing him support. Kupp isn't as much of a playmaker as he was a few years ago, but he still averaged 10.6 yards per catch last season and could be a nice veteran presence to have in this new era of Seahawks football. Denver Broncos Even though Bo Nix was better than most expected as a rookie and led the Broncos to the playoffs, he still has plenty of room to grow. Adding Kupp would be a way to get him another reliable option and help get the Denver offense to the next level. Kupp also feels like the kind of player Sean Payton would love coaching. Las Vegas Raiders All of a sudden, the Raiders are acting like they're in "win now" mode. Hiring a 73-year-old head coach in Pete Carroll, and trading for a 34-year-old quarterback in the aforementioned Smith signals Las Vegas is embracing a newfound sense of urgency. Kupp and Smith could also be a perfect fit together for a team that now needs offensive weapons. Smith, who completed 70.4% of his passes in 2024 and has been one of the most efficient and accurate quarterbacks in recent years, would likely salivate over having a target like Kupp to find in the open field. The Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots are other teams to keep an eye on when it comes to where Kupp may land.
Steelers' George Pickens Seemingly Sends Strong But Simple Message To Pittsburgh's Front Office On Social Media
The Pittsburgh Steelers made the NFL world go crazy on Sunday night when the decision was made by General Manager Omar Khan to trade with the Seattle Seahawks for wide receiver DK Metcalf. As if the move wasn't enough, the organization is giving him a new contract that is worth $150 million over five years. Many have speculated what this means for 2022 second-round pick George Pickens. The team could simply have him play out the final year of his rookie deal and allow him to test free agency, but trading him, or offering him an extension are also options that remain. Deals are being agreed to across the NFL landscape and one in particular seemed to catch the eye of Pickens. The Carolina Panthers inked one of their own to a massive deal. Jaycee Horn became a very rich man. Pickens took to his Instagram on Monday to congratulate Horn, but that wasn't all that stood out about what he uploaded to his story. It seemed as if the wide receiver was acknowledging that it must have been nice for the team that drafted Horn to reward him. "This what should happened when ya stay down with ya unit. Congrats my boy," Pickens wrote. Players across all sports occasionally post cryptic messages on social media. While Pickens' post to his Horn was congratulating another individual in the league, it also sure seemed as if he would like to be extended by Pittsburgh. This reality has become more unlikely now that Metcalf is in the fold with a deal that averages $30 million per season. Horn was drafted by the Panthers in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft and had his fifth-year option picked up for the 2025 season. Instead of letting him play on that final year of his rookie contract, Carolina gave him a lucrative extension. Pickens is in a similar situation, as his fourth and final year of his rookie deal will be in 2025, which normally would set someone up for an extension prior to the regular season beginning. Pickens has caused a little bit of drama in the Steel City, at least that's how the outside world looks at the situation. His questionable locker room behavior and often pouting on the sidelines have rubbed many the wrong way. He is a competitor, but some have theorized that the Steelers will trade him because of what has occurred in recent years. The Metcalf deal only fueled the fire even more. Congratulating Horn is one thing, and admirable, but Pickens specifically saying that he believes what happened for Horn should happen to those who remain loyal to the teams that drafted them is an interesting comment. This came less than 24 hours after the Metcalf deal, which could absolutely have some people thinking that Pickens wanted an extension in Pittsburgh, but now won't get one. The combination Pickens and Metcalf could be lethal moving forward, but there are certainly concerns with the attitudes of the two receivers. It will be imperative to set both up for success so one of the two, or both, aren't causing significant distractions on and off the field. Steelers' Next Move With George Pickens Is Anyone's Guess Pittsburgh has every option on the table when it comes to Pickens. The subtle message he sent via Instagram on Monday could help shed a little bit of light on how he's feeling about the Metcalf situation. Pickens has been in the Steel City since 2022, but another talented receiver comes out of nowhere via trade to land a massive contract. Anyone could see how that might rub Pickens the wrong way.
ESPN analyst expands on Deion Sanders theory about supposed slide of Shedeur Sanders' draft stock
49ers' new backup QB may not inspire much confidence
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has always seemed to be a fan of quarterback Mac Jones. In August 2022, the coach told the "I Am Athlete" podcast he was considering taking Jones or QB Trey Lance in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Niners took Lance with pick No. 3, but that didn't work out. San Francisco traded Lance to the Dallas Cowboys in 2023 after he went 2-2 in four starts in two seasons with the club. Now, Shanahan is set to coach the QB he passed on in 2021. On Wednesday night, NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport tweeted Jones and the 49ers have agreed to a two-year, $7M deal with $5M guaranteed. Jones will likely serve as the backup to 49ers starting QB Brock Purdy. However, Shanahan may feel Jones — whom the New England Patriots selected with pick No. 15 in 2021 — could be an intriguing project. In 2023, the 49ers signed QB Sam Darnold — a former New York Jets flop — to back up Purdy. He would only spend one season with the Niners, but his brief stint in San Francisco may have helped him salvage his career. In 2024, Darnold signed with the Minnesota Vikings and finished fifth in the league in touchdown passes (35 in 17 starts). On Monday, he signed a three-year, $100.5M deal with the Seattle Seahawks. "It was huge," Darnold said of his time with the Niners in September 2024. "Just being able to learn how they do things over there, not only schematically but as an organization. It was great to be a part of it for a year. The season we had last year was amazing to be a part of." It's hard to envision that playing in San Francisco will be as beneficial for Jones. He has regressed since making the Pro Bowl in his rookie season in 2021. In three seasons with New England, he went 18-24 in the regular season and posted a below-average 85.8 passer rating. In 2024, he filled in for injured Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, going 2-5 in seven starts. During this span, he tossed the same number of touchdown passes and interceptions (eight). Purdy staying healthy for the entire season would be the best-case scenario for the Niners. It's unclear if Jones can step in and win games, even if Shanahan likes him.
Steelers fans receive vindication for their honest feelings toward potential Aaron Rodgers signing
The Pittsburgh Steelers are rumored to be all-in on signing Aaron Rodgers to be their starting quarterback in 2025. Many fans have not taken that news well, as there are many questions surrounding a 41-year-old quarterback that was in the news for drama more than his on-field performance. Steeler Nation is somewhat polarized on the subject, but the crowd of fans that don't want him has been significantly louder than the ones that do want him or are just OK with the move in general. Rich Eisen mentioned on his show that he likes the idea of Rodgers going to Pittsburgh, and he received a lot of criticism for that take. He brought up the fact that the New York Jets were in the same exact situation as the Steelers are in now. "That's what the Jets needed; they needed an adult in the room," said Eisen. "Certainly, since the previous situation. One of them was Zach Wilson and the other one, named Russell Wilson, didn't finish well and apparently isn't an option to run it back with." After the Jets' disastrous run with Zach Wilson at quarterback, they were looking for a veteran option that could at least be decent. At the time, they had a great defense led by former head coach Robert Saleh, as well as a strong running game with Breece Hall. As long as Rodgers played ok, the Jets were expected to be playoff bound. Obviously, that was not the case. As Eisen compared the scenarios between the Jets and the Steelers, he suddenly realized why Steeler Nation was against the idea of bringing in Rodgers. "It's the same scenario, which is probably why Steelers fans don't want to wrap their arms around it: because it's following the gameplan the Jets once upon a time came up with, and you don't want to follow the Jets' gameplan," said Eisen. "I understand what Steelers fans are having issues with." Like with the Jets, the Steelers had a rocky relationship with their starting quarterback, Russell Wilson. Also like the Jets scenario, Rodgers seems like the best available option. Both situations started the same, and Pittsburgh has seen exactly how it ended for the Jets: chaos and a failed season. Rodgers essentially played the role of General Manager and had the Jets bring in his guys. Saleh got fired after a 2-3 start, and General Manager Joe Douglas eventually got the boot for the mess. When Rodgers wouldn't get his way, he'd go on "The Pat McAfee Show" and complain about it. Steelers fans have had enough of that kind of drama, where it overtakes what happens in the game. Steelers' Rodgers-like drama in recent years Ben Roethlisberger may have been the greatest quarterback in Steelers history, but he was constantly throwing his teammates under the bus. The two-time Super Bowl champion would go on his radio show every week and cause all sorts of drama, like blaming his receivers for not catching the ball, whether or not it was a great pass by Roethlisberger. The Steelers in the Killer B's era were always in the news for things that had nothing to do with football. If it wasn't Roethlisberger, it was Antonio Brown being a headcase. If it wasn't him either, someone was upset at someone else. The volatility of those 2010s teams got out of hand quickly. George Pickens has been known to be volatile too. It doesn't help that the team traded for DK Metcalf, who also lets his emotions flare up at times. The signing has not happened yet, and X has already exploded with jokes about how the trio of Pickens, Metcalf and Rodgers would end up.
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