ROMAN REIGNS VACATES WWE UNIVERSAL TITLE

ROMAN REIGNS

On Monday Night Raw last night, Roman Reigns vacated the WWE Universal Championship according to CNN. The professional wrestler whose real name is Leati Joseph Anoa'i, revealed that he has been battling Leukemia for 11 years and that the disease has returned. Reigns said that he can no longer fulfill his obligations as Champion and he must vacate the title. As a fan I was shocked. I had never heard about Reigns and any type of Cancer diagnosis when I researched his career. I was so happy that the fans showed him respect and started a chant saying, "Thank You Roman" and I think fans have finally seen Roman as a person. As a fan I've always enjoyed Roman Reigns as a performer. I hope he has a speedy recovery and that one day he can return to the ring.  

Best Wishes Mr. Anoai. My prayers and thoughts are with you. 

Class Dismissed,
THE PROFESSOR

MANNY PACQUIAO SIGNS DEAL WITH PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS

Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather

Manny Pacquiao has signed a deal with Al Haymon and Premier Boxing Champions according to Boxing Insider. This announcement comes just weeks after HBO announced it will no longer broadcast boxing after this year. For over a decade Pacquiao was previously promoted by Bob Arum and Top Rank. With this new deal, Al Haymon and Premier Boxing Champions will promote all of Pacquiao's fights along with Manny Pacquiao's MP Promotions. 

Manny Pacquiao is one of the biggest stars in boxing and gives Premier Boxing Champions a lot of credibility. Pacquiao is currently the WBO Welterweight champion after defeating Lucas Matthysse and he is an eight-division champion. He has victories over such stars as Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Moseley, Miguel Cotto, and Juan Manuel Marquez. ESPN reports that Manny Pacquiao will defend his Welterweight title against Adrien Broner on Pay Per View in January 2019. 

As HBO steps away from broadcasting boxing, the landscape of boxing has changed. Along with Manny Pacquiao signing a new deal, Canelo Alvarez has signed a deal with DAZN, a subscription service. According to ESPN, Alvarez's deal is for 11 fights over five years and he will be paid 365 million dollars. This is the richest contract in sports history and shows how much of an investment DAZN is making in Canelo Alvarez and his star power.

Manny Pacquiao is scheduled to return to the ring in January 2019 to defend his Welterweight Championship against Adrien Broner. Canelo is planning to fight again in December at Super Middleweight. It will be interesting to see how these new developments will affect boxing. 

Class Dismissed, 
THE PROFESSOR

KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV DEFEATS CONOR MCGREGOR AT UFC 229

Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov

On Saturday, Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Conor McGregor to retain his Light Heavyweight championship. Nurmagomedov gained a submission victory over McGregor with a rear naked choke. After the fight, stood over Conor and spit on him. Nurmagomedov jumped over the cage and got into a brawl with one of Conor's friends in the crowd. Three members of Khabib's entourage entered the cage and attacked Conor. As a result of the brawl, Khabib's purse for the fight was held by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the men who attacked Conor were arrested. 

Now we have to wait and see what happens with both fighters. McGregor has already said that he wants a rematch. Khabib will probably be fined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and he may be stripped of his light heavyweight championship. If so, Tony Ferguson could fight Conor McGregor for the vacant title. If Conor wins, that could be the reason for a rematch with Khabib. That scenario was suggested by Shayna Baszler on Twitter. 

Whatever happens I know that we will see Conor McGregor fight again. McGregor is a major attraction for the UFC. This loss to Khabib won't change that. Conor is a star and a household name because of his fight with Floyd Mayweather. 

The UFC is on its way to becoming one of the biggest brands in combat sports with stars like Conor McGregor, the return Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier, and Brock Lesnar. 2019 could be a huge year for UFC when it moves to ESPN. 

Class Dismissed, 
THE PROFESSOR