INGLEWOOD, Calif.
Alex Blandino Jersey . -- Juan Manuel Marquez fought 12 times at the Forum in the early days of his record-setting career, and the Mexican champion fondly remembers almost every round. Even as an unknown featherweight prospect, Marquez loved the crackling atmosphere of the 1990s fight cards at the once-Fabulous Forum, where Lakers owner Jerry Buss indulged his passion for boxing by putting on hundreds of shows. Hollywood glitterati and hard-core fight fans mingled in Buss famed arena, which fell into decline after the Lakers and the NHLs Kings moved downtown to Staples Center in 1999. The Forum still holds a beloved place in the minds of California sports fans -- and after 13 years of inactivity, the building is back in the boxing business. Marquez (55-7-1, 40 KOs) gets the privilege of re-christening a building where he has never lost. "I feel very happy, because I get to fight in a great place," said Marquez, who made his Forum debut in 1995. "It is a beautiful, historical place." Marquez is hoping to revive the excitement when he takes on Mike Alvarado (34-2, 23 KOs) on Saturday night at the Forum, which has been rehabilitated by The Madison Square Garden Co. with everything from a fresh coat of red exterior paint to a thoroughly refurbished interior. Marquezs welterweight showdown with the hard-punching Alvarado live on HBO is the first fight card since 2001 at the Forum, where dozens of Mexican and American boxers got their first big fights. Its also the place where Top Ranks Bob Arum promoted Muhammad Alis second fight with Ken Norton in 1973, back when Jack Kent Cooke owned the building. "I really missed it when they closed the Forum as an entertainment and sports venue," Arum said. "They used it as a church for a while, and nothing pleases me more than that it is back as a sports venue and hosting a boxing event." Arum put together a compelling main event for the Forums return. Although both fighters are coming off a loss, Marquez and Alvarado are among two of the worlds most entertaining fighters at their weights, with Alvarados boldness and brawling instincts contrasting nicely with Marquezs skill and counterpunching. Marquez has won world championships in four weight classes, and a victory over Alvarado would set him up for a shot at a fifth title at 147 pounds. The winner of this bout is likely to fight Manny Pacquiao in the fall, which means Marquez would get a fifth bout with the Filipino congressman after winning their fourth meeting by spectacular knockout. "I concentrate only on this fight," Marquez said. "Maybe in the future Ill think about that fight, but right now, the most important fight of my career is against Alvarado, because he is a strong fighter and a tough fighter." Alvarado is eager to bounce back from a difficult loss to Ruslan Provodnikov, who stopped Alvarado and took his 140-pound title last fall. While Alvarado would love the career-changing opportunity of a fight with Pacquiao, hes grateful for the chance to fight Marquez, who ranks right alongside Pacquiao among their generations best boxers. "Im here to put on a better show and perform at a higher level," Alvarado said. "This is where I belong, and Im going to show that this weekend." Although the main event is compelling, the return of boxing to the Forum will evoke fond memories for veterans of the fight game. Arum is hoping the card creates new excitement in Inglewood for future visits in an area already featuring several excellent boxing venues, including the outdoor StubHub Center in Carson. "I see that a lot of the fighters (for this weekend) are staying at the Marriott at the airport," Arum said. "When we did the Ali-Norton II fight, that was the fight headquarters as well. That was what, 41 years ago? Oh my, I was a thin, young handsome guy. Now Im an old, fat guy. It was a great night, a good fight. Norton gave Ali trouble. The fight at the Forum was very close, and Ali pulled it out."
Jake Daubert Jersey . Parmelee hit a game-ending shot in the ninth inning and the Minnesota Twins overcame David Ortizs big night to beat the Boston Red Sox 8-6 on Tuesday.
Bernie Carbo Jersey . Hemsky left the Oilers Tuesday night loss to the Dallas Stars in the second period and did not return. Through 48 games this season, Hemsky has seven goals and a total of 24 points.TSN delivers exclusive live coverage of the Hockey Hall of Fames induction weekend, highlighted by the 2014 Induction Ceremony and the Hockey Hall of Fame Game. This years inductees include hockey superstars Rob Blake, Peter Forsberg, Dominik Hasek, and Mike Modano, along with the late Pat Burns, a Stanley Cup-winning head coach, who will be inducted posthumously into the Builder Category. In addition, Bill McCreary becomes the 16th official inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Coverage begins with a live broadcast of the Hockey Hall of Fame press conference on Friday at 2:30pm et/11:30am pt on TSN4. Hockey Hall of Fame Game TSN delivers exclusive live coverage of the Hockey Hall of Fame Game, as the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins Friday at 7pm et on TSN4. To access Leafs games on TSN4, subscribers must live in the Leafs designated broadcast region. TSNs broadcast team of Chris Cuthbert and Ray Ferraro calls all of the game action from the Air Canada Centre. In the pre-game show, TSNs James Duthie hosts a special Hall of Fame panel of 2014 inductees Blake, Forsberg, Hasek, and Modano. TSN Hockey analyst and ex-NHL goalie Martin Biron conducts a special one-on-one interview with former Buffalo Sabres teammate Hasek, discussing his unique, history-making goaltending style. TSNs live pre-game coverage kicks off with the 6 p.m. ET edition of SportsCentre, which features the panel of 2014 Hall of Fame inductees hosted by Gino Reda. TSN Hockey analysts Ferraro, Aaron Ward and Jeff ONeill share their personal stories of playing with and against this years inductees.
Reds Jerseys 2019. Also featured is full analysis of the Toronto–Pittsburgh game by the TSN Hockey panel of Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie and analysts Ward and ONeill. The Hall of Fame panel of Blake, Forsberg, Hasek, and Modano returns between periods for a special Hall of Fame-themed edition of The Quiz. Hockey Hall of Fame Game Induction Ceremony TSN also shines the spotlight on the legends of the game during live coverage of the 2014 Hockey Hall of Fame Game Induction Ceremony on Monday at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. SportsCentre reports live from the Hockey Hall of Fame beginning at 6pm et/3pm pt, leading into a live, on-site edition of Tim Hortons Thats Hockey at 7pm et/4pm pt on TSN4 and TSN5. Thats Hockey 2Nite wraps up all of the evenings action at 11pm et/8pm pt on TSN2. Hosted by TSNs James Duthie, the 2014 Induction Ceremony honours Rob Blake, Peter Forsberg, Dominik Hasek, Mike Modano, Pat Burns, and Bill McCreary as the newest inductees of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Following the ceremony, TSN Digital platforms, including TSN.ca and the TSN GO app, feature video of all six acceptance speeches, as well as a written feature by TSN Hockey Managing Editor Steve Dryden setting up the selection process for the Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2015. In 2012, TSN and the Hockey Hall of Fame announced an agreement extending their long-lasting partnership with a new 10-year sponsorship deal. With this deal, TSN is the official TV and radio broadcast partner of the Hockey Hall of Fame through to 2022. ' ' '