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Sergey Kovalev earned a hard-fought unanimous points decision against Isaac Chilemba to stay on course for a big pay-per-view bout against Andre Ward.In only his third professional fight in his homeland, U.S.-based Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 KOs) could not produce the knockout performance he wanted at the DIVS Sports Palace in Ekaterinburg, Russia, Monday.It was Kovalevs poorest performance in his three-year reign as world light-heavyweight champion that will have been encouraging viewing for Ward at home in Oakland. However, Kovalevs status as unified world light-heavyweight champion was never in doubt at the end of 12 rounds and he was awarded scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 118-109.Malawi-born Chilemba (24-4-2, 10 KOs) recovered from a seventh round knockdown to force Kovalev to go the distance for just the fourth time in his career. Only Bernard Hopkins had managed to go to points with Kovalev in eight previous world title fights after a disappointing and unimaginative display from the Russian.It also sets up a big bout next against Ward at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 19. Undefeated former super-middleweight world champion Ward (29-0, 15 KO) will have to overcome Alexander Brand (25-1, 19 KOs) on Aug. 6 in his own interim bout before the fight with Kovalev is confirmed.The fight with Ward has become a more interesting prospect after Florida-based Kovalev failed to dominate the first half of the fight against a plucky challenger.Chilemba, 29, had lost his previous fight -- controversially on points to Eleider Alvarez in Nov. -- in a WBC world title eliminator. Despite that setback, Chilemba still got his shot at Kovalevs WBA, IBF and WBO world light-heavyweights titles and proved a stubborn opponent.The challenger got through with some right hands and Ward will have been encouraged to see how Chilemba managed to land in the fourth round when Kovalev was caught coming forward with left jabs.Kovalev began finding his range and rhythm later in the fifth round but in the sixth was caught flush by a left hook. Kovalevs biggest weapon is his right hand which Chilemba finally found out about in the seventh round.The Russian followed a straight left with a right to the jaw which left Chilemba staggering across the ropes and down for a count. Had there been more time left in the round, Kovalev might have finished it there and then.Chilemba was hurt again late in the eighth round after being caught with a left to the chin but Kovalev, looking tired, allowed his opponent to grow in confidence in round ten. Kovalev finished strong, with blood pouring from Chilembas nose, but his renowned power punching could not force the stoppage that his home crowd wanted.Kovalev has been based in the United States since turning professional seven years ago and last boxed in his homeland at the same venue five years ago. That bout ended in tragedy when Kovalevs opponent Roman Simakov, who was knocked out in the seventh round, died as a result of head injuries three days later.Dick Williams Jersey . On June 12, just as the sun sets on the magnificent historical city of Sao Paulo the inventors, innovators and purveyors of “joga bonitowill” open their campaign. The opponent, Croatia and all its football might and will. As opposites do attract we are set for a corker of an opener. Dick Green Athletics Jersey . Capitals head coach Adam Oates said Ovechkin was injured in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday and clarified it was not a head injury. https://www.cheapathleticsonline.com/475m-dave-henderson-jersey-athletics.html .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. Chris Bassitt Jersey . The return match will take place next Wednesday. Udinese leads Fiorentina 2-1 in the other semifinal. Napoli staged a second-half comeback from two goals down after Gervinhos opener and a stunning strike from Kevin Strootman. Tony Phillips Athletics Jersey . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July.SAN DIEGO, California - Josh Johnson was doing more than rehabbing an inflamed triceps during his six-week absence. When Johnson takes the mound on Tuesday night in San Francisco, his first start since April 21, hell feature a differently gripped changeup he hopes will keep Giants hitters off balance. A prototypical power pitcher with a fastball consistently in the mid-90s mph, Johnson feels hes lacked an offspeed pitch with a significant variation in velocity. "Ive been trying to get speed off for years and years," said Johnson. "You see other guys whose changeups are hard but they have good action to it. Mine doesnt really have that action that youd like that can get groundballs or get a swing and miss here and there to throw guys off a little bit, to have them respect that pitch. Hopefully I can get it to that level where it can be a huge pitch for me." Johnson has previously used his curveball to get hitters, anticipating his fastball or slider, to commit early. Even then he found he was throwing his curveball too hard. During his down time, spent predominantly at the Blue Jays facility in Dunedin, Florida, Johnson began picking the brain of Rick Langford, the clubs minor league rehab and pitching coach. It was then a change to Johnsons changeup grip was discussed and once the big right-hander was back on a mound, the change was implemented. "Its all about trust with that, with new grips," said Johnson. "I threw a couple good ones in the rehab starts. The first rehab starts the punchouts I had were with the changeup. Then, as always, once you start throwing it more and more it kind of goes up and down.dddddddddddd Hopefully it will keep going up and progressing with it and keep it down in the zone." The Blue Jays, who entered play Sunday 10 games under .500 and buried in last place in the American League East, need not only Johnsons return to the mound but his return to effectiveness. Johnson himself needs the same. Making $13.75-million this season and a free agent after the World Series, Johnson needs a combination of health and success in order to secure a contract rich in both term and dollar. In four starts this season, the last of which came April 21, Johnson is 0-1 with an ERA of 6.86. His walks plus hits per innings pitched (WHIP) sits at 1.881, inordinately high especially for a potential staff ace. When Johnson went down there was no indication he would miss six weeks. "It was just in a weird spot, its something that Ive never had before, never felt before," said Johnson of the triceps inflammation. "Just felt like someone had my fingers stuck in my triceps and every time Id get out there and get extension, I could throw and be alright but as soon as I let it go and got extension thats when I could feel it. It was in a weird spot and I didnt want to escalate it into anything worse, its the exact opposite of what wed want. So, just take a little bit more on this end of it." Johnson rejoined the Blue Jays on Friday night and was in the dugout in time to watch a good portion of the 17-inning marathon loss. His family is with him on the road trip. He says hes glad to be back. "Absolutely. Just being out there and going to battle with the guys and just being around." ' ' '