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Legendary gymnast Simone Biles has been nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. Other nominees for the award are star athletes Aitana Bonmati, Erling Haaland, Novak Djokovic, Siya Kolisi, and Max Verstappen.

The 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year will be the 70th edition of the award ceremony. On December 5, the publication opened its voting gates on its website. The polls will close on 12 December 2023, 22:00 GMT.

Simone Biles was the only gymnast to make it to the list of six athletes that BBC released. After her two-year mental health break, the four-time Olympic gymnast made an impressive comeback this year. She made her way to the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and won five medals.

Biles won four world championship gold medals in the team, all-around, balance beam, and floor exercise events. She also won a silver medal in the vault event. Her impressive performance made her the gymnast with the most number of World Championship medals in the world (30). She is also the gymnast with the highest number of World Championship gold medals (23).

This year, Biles became the only gymnast to represent the United States for the sixth time in the World Championship forum. She made her debut in the world championship in 2013 where she bagged two gold medals, a silver medal, and a bronze medal.

Simone Biles struggled with mental health issues during the 2020 Summer Olympics

While performing at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Simone Biles shared that she felt a disconnect between her mind and body.

The experience prompted Biles to address her mental well-being. She subsequently announced her break from gymnastics during the 2021 Summer Olympics. In an interview with NBC Olympics, Biles revealed what affected her to take a break. She said:

Simone Biles took a break from professiona; gymnastics for two full years before returning to the sport in 2023 at the US Classic.

Getting the legend, Mike Tyson to not only acknowledge but also compare a fighter to himself is not a feat just about anyone can achieve. However, Isaac Cruz, the fighter from Mexico, made it possible.

Post Ryan Garcia‘s loss against Gervonta Davis, he saved his career by defeating Oscar Duarte. After the fight between Garcia and Duarte, Cruz in an Instagram story, tagged Davis and Garcia both with a picture of himself pointing toward the camera. This was nothing short of a call-out by the fighter. Davis has made sure to respond to it.

Isaac Cruz renews rivalry with Gervonta Davis

The feud between Cruz and Davis traces back to December 2012. Davis ascended to boxing stardom fueled by explosive knockouts and the backing of mentor Floyd Mayweather. Cruz, a late replacement for Rolando Romero, proved skeptics wrong as he presented “Tank” with a formidable challenge on short notice. The bout at Los Angeles’ Staples Center unfolded as a closely contested 12-round affair, contrary to expectations. Despite the tough competition, Davis narrowly secured a unanimous decision victory, showcasing the unanticipated difficulty of the matchup.

Davis reposted the story on his Instagram, but not without adding a hard-hitting response of his own. “I beat yo a** with one hand rock head,” wrote Davis suggesting it would barely demand any effort from his side to end the argument with Cruz once and for all. Possibly, we will soon get to see whether the claims are true or not.

Gervonta Davis

Fans have been demanding a rematch between the duo for a while now. Fortunately, it might finally materialize. According to recent reports, the rematch between Davis and Cruz is scheduled for the official launch of the PBC on AMAZON in early 2024. American boxer Gervonta “Tank” Davis will once again face Mexican boxer Isaac Jonathan Cruz.

The exact date and venue for the rematch will be disclosed in the coming weeks. Gervonta Davis maintains an undefeated record, while Cruz has encountered two losses, one of which was against Davis in 2021. Popularly known as the Pitbull, Cruz surprised many with an outstanding performance in their previous encounter, displaying a formidable fight that pushed Gervonta to his limits.

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After securing his win against Giovanni Cabrera, Cruz is on the lookout for his next prey. As he missed a victory against Davis in their last fight, he might have a chance to avenge his loss this time around. Which of the fighters do you think will be able to stand true to his word?

There’s no time like the present to treat yourself (and loved ones) to some Simone Biles-approved gift picks.

We included these products chosen by Simone Biles because we think you’ll like her picks at these prices. Simone is a paid spokesperson for Athleta. E! has affiliate relationships, so we may get a commission if you purchase something through our links. Items are sold by the retailer, not E!. Prices are accurate as of publish time.

The holiday season can get so busy with obligations, fun events, and gift shopping. That’s why Simone Biles teamed up with Athleta for a holiday campaign with a message. The Olympian explained, “I know the holidays can be a hectic time, but please remember to continue to prioritize yourself and your well-being through it all. For me, I try to balance it all by making sure to spend quality time with my husband and family and making time for my own self-care. I encourage everyone to find what works for you. We only have one life, so treat it with care!”

Simone Biles

A great incentive for prioritizing your wellness is a workout wardrobe that makes you feel your best. The gymnast shared, “This holiday season, my hope is for women and girls everywhere to find their own balance and to stay present for yourself, whatever that may look like. If you are looking for some new ideas, here are a few pieces that I’ve added to my winter wardrobe. I love the intersection of style and performance, and they’re so comfortable, I haven’t wanted to take them off.”

Simone’s Athleta favorites win a gold medal for fashion and function.

Simone Biles’ Top Holiday Gift Ideas

Athleta Salutation Bodysuit

Warning: if you don’t like getting outfit compliments, this jumpsuit isn’t for you. Everyone will adore this look on you and you will love wearing it because it’s just as comfy as it is cute since it’s made from buttery soft fabric that is supportive without restriction. This outfit feels like gentle hug and it has a built-in bra for added support. Plus, there are pockets to stash your small essentials.

Athleta Conscious Crop Bra & Athleta Salutation Stash Mesh Tight

Look and feel cool in this set made from quick-drying, sweat-wicking fabric. The bra has a high-coverage neckline for stress-free workouts (no need to worry about anything popping out while you exercise). The matching leggings have UPF 40+ sun protection and mesh ventilation to keep you cool.

The sports bra comes in many colors with sizes from XS to 3X. The leggings come in 3 shades with sizes ranging from XS to 3X.

Crawford was participating in Team Watson’s Celebrity Charity Basketball game to raise money for the LifeDriven Foundation. The foundation supports teenagers that are diagnosed with cancer.

Crawford seemed pretty pleased with his charity match winning display, celebrating the result on his Instagram account. “And the MVP award goes to who… Nun other than the two time undisputed champ, Terence Bud Crawford!!!” was the caption of the photo of the boxer proudly holding his MVP trophy.

During the game, he even had a small scuffle with an opposition player, but it turned out just to be a bit of fun between the two.
Terence Crawford

A video of Crawford playing has surfaced on social media and has accumulated hundreds of thousands of views. Plenty of users have taken to the comments to praise the boxer’s performance. “Man of many talents,” wrote one user. “He should play in the NBA and start some beef with Draymond Green. My money on Bud to win that fight,” joked another.

Crawford most definitely seems to be a sporting all-rounder. Back in September the boxer went viral after showing off his skills as a quarterback, throwing several impressive passes.

Crawford was participating in Team Watson’s Celebrity Charity Basketball game to raise money for the LifeDriven Foundation. The foundation supports teenagers that are diagnosed with cancer.

Crawford seemed pretty pleased with his charity match winning display, celebrating the result on his Instagram account. “And the MVP award goes to who… Nun other than the two time undisputed champ, Terence Bud Crawford!!!” was the caption of the photo of the boxer proudly holding his MVP trophy.

During the game, he even had a small scuffle with an opposition player, but it turned out just to be a bit of fun between the two.
Terence Crawford

A video of Crawford playing has surfaced on social media and has accumulated hundreds of thousands of views. Plenty of users have taken to the comments to praise the boxer’s performance. “Man of many talents,” wrote one user. “He should play in the NBA and start some beef with Draymond Green. My money on Bud to win that fight,” joked another.

Crawford most definitely seems to be a sporting all-rounder. Back in September the boxer went viral after showing off his skills as a quarterback, throwing several impressive passes.

Former super middleweight champion Carl Froch is backing Deontay Wilder to blast out Anthony Joshua in a single round.

The two former world champions will appear on the same card on December 23rd in Saudi Arabia.

Joshua will appear in the main event against top contender Otto Wallin, while Wilder will face former champion Joseph Parker in the co-main.

DEONTAY WILDER And Anthony Joshua

Former super middleweight champion Carl Froch is backing Deontay Wilder to blast out Anthony Joshua in a single round.

The two former world champions will appear on the same card on December 23rd in Saudi Arabia.

Joshua will appear in the main event against top contender Otto Wallin, while Wilder will face former champion Joseph Parker in the co-main.

There was some serious star power in Green Bay on Sunday afternoon.

Twelve-time Grammy award-winning artist Taylor Swift was in attendance for the Kansas City Chiefs’ 27-19 road defeat against the Green Bay Packers.

Watching on in person for the fifth time this season in support of her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Swift sat alongside Brittany Mahomes – the wife of Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes – in a suite at Lambeau Field.

It was her first appearance at a Chiefs game since October 7, when the reigning Super Bowl champions took down the Los Angeles Chargers, 31-17.

The pop superstar embarked on the South American leg of her ‘Eras Tour’ shortly after, with Kelce returning the favor and attending her concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Simone Biles

Swift had been a good omen for the Chiefs coming into Sunday’s matchup, with the team having gone 4-0 with her in attendance and Kelce averaging 8.5 receptions and 108 receiving yards in those games.

However, there was to be no such good luck on Sunday, as the Chiefs were downed by the Packers.

Lambeau featured another celebrity power couple in the stadium on Sunday: seven time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles was in attendance to support her husband, Green Bay safety Jonathan Owens.

The gymnastics icon had previously been seen at a Packers home game this season and wished Owens luck before the game.

Owens scored his first career NFL touchdown on Thanksgiving against the Detroit Lions after recovering a fumble, with Biles barely able to contain her excitement on social media.

A Sunday night upset

Love was certainly in the air in every sense in Green Bay on Sunday.

But the biggest of all was Packers quarterback Jordan Love. The 25-year-old threw for 267 yards and three touchdowns and had zero interceptions, going 25-for-36 on passing attempts.

Love is playing his first NFL season as a full-time starting QB, having spent his first three years in the league as the backup to four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.

He led the Packers to touchdowns on their opening two drives of the game and spearheaded the offense to score on five out of seven of the home side’s total possessions.

Love was able to go toe-to-toe with reigning MVP Mahomes, who threw 21-for-33 for 210 yards, a touchdown and an interception, as the Packers defense stepped up to frustrate Kansas City after Green Bay had cut the lead to two early in the fourth.

For his part, Kelce led the Chiefs in receiving on the night, managing four receptions for 81 yards in the game, below his average when Swift is in the crowd.

End-of-game controversy

The game’s ending was mired in refereeing controversy, however, with no less than four plays on the Chiefs’ final drive sparking debate amongst fans.

With just under a minute to go, Mahomes took off after the snap for a first down, but was hit hard as he was heading out of bounds by Owens, resulting in an unnecessary roughness penalty.

Green Bay rookie cornerback Carrington Valentine then evaded an apparently clear pass interference penalty, despite appearing to make significant contact with Chiefs wide receiver Marques Valdes-Scantling.

Valdes-Scantling was again involved as the clock stopped when he was ruled out-of-bounds after a late catch. Finally, a Mahomes Hail Mary pass went uncaught in the end zone, with the officials not agreeing with the pronounced claims of pass interference from the Chiefs.

The Packers escaped with their third win in a row and now sit at 6-6. They look forward to continuing the momentum and possibly entering the playoff pictures in a primetime matchup against the struggling New York Giants on December 11, while Kansas City, now 8-4, will take on the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Ryan Garcia says he aiming for the WBA light-welterweight title after knocking out Oscar Duarte in the eighth round of their bout in Texas on Saturday.

American Garcia, 25, was back in the ring following his only career defeat, by compatriot Gervonta Davis in April.

He landed a left hook to Duarte’s temple which unsteadied the 27-year-old before further blows dropped him to his knees.

Ryan Garcia

“I’m committing to becoming a world champion,” Garcia told DAZN.

Fellow American Duarte lifted himself off the canvas after the count of nine but the referee stopped the fight to hand Garcia his 20th professional knockout.

Rolando Romero has held the light-welterweight belt since May and Garcia thinks he would be up to the challenge of facing the 28-year-old.

“That felt like a fight to me, like I’m figuring myself out as a fighter and I’m excited to keep improving with [new trainer] Derrick [James].

“I want to become a champion, that’s my goal. I want Rolly to be honest.”

A long-running debate recently re-opened over whether Floyd Mayweather holds “The Best Ever” undefeated run in the sport of boxing.

Mayweather, who retired in 2015 but has competed in exhibitions since then, essentially claims to have the most significant benchmark of 50-0.

The Las Vegas native regularly informs fans and media that his record proves he’s the number one fighter of all time. However, a newer generation has discovered Ricardo Lopez’s efforts.

Lopez, now 57, retired in 2001 on 51-0-1. His 52 bouts unbeaten from the start of his career in 1985 trumps that of Mayweather. There’s also the not-so-small-matter of Lopez being perfect in the amateurs.

Over four years, “Finito” won consecutive Mexican National Championships in a run that wasn’t officially totaled. It’s likely to be at least 50 contests.

Floyd Mayweather’s 50-0

That would take Lopez to over 100 bouts without loss from 1981 to 2001. Meanwhile, Mayweather’s amateur record is also unofficial 44-7.

Compared to Lopez, Mayweather would be 94-7 in the unpaid and professional codes. Therefore, Lopez has the upper hand in both, dependent on the point of view.

The only blot on the copybook is that Lopez has a draw on his CV from his 48th bout against Rosendo Alvarez. It’s the only argument Mayweather has regarding his 50-0 record being the best.

Floyd Mayweather

Ironically, both fighters share the most successive world title victories with heavyweight Joe Louis. So there’s a further debate for Lopez to be classed among the greats.

The only downside for Lopez is that he campaigned in the two lowest-weight categories. Historically, those are overlooked the most.

As for Mayweather, his tenure is fresher in the memory. The fact he’s constantly in the spotlight and able to reiterate his achievements keeps him at the forefront – especially in the United States.

Beating Manny Pacquiao in 2015 and Canelo Alvarez as a young buck are two of the most-talked-about events still to this day.

Pacquiao is unbelievably still linked to a rematch. At the same time, Canelo remains a pound-for-pound star of the sport and a link back to Mayweather.

Ricardo Lopez – Finito

Lopez doesn’t have that notoriety. He only has the 52-fight undefeated record and the hope that others bring him into the equation.

This happened recently, leading to Generation Z discovering Mayweather is not the only one who went fifty fights without loss.

The fact opened a significant trend on social platforms, with many of those discussing unaware Mayweather had a rival claimant. Rocky Marciano was thought to be the only one with his 49-0 effort, which Mayweather overhauled.

Ricard Lopez is a legend in his own right. There’s no taking that away from him. But the argument about the best record will never fully get settled in the cold light of day.

Top heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang does not view Tyson Fury as a big favorite in the upcoming undisputed showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury and Usyk will collide on February 17 in Saudi Arabia, with the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO, WBC world titles at stake.

Last month, Fury barely overcame a crossover boxing match with MMA veteran Francis Ngannou, who was making his professional debut.

Fury was dropped in the third round and had trouble with Ngannou’s style. After ten rounds, Fury walked away with a razor-close ten round split decision.

Tyson Fury

Zhang is not overly fixated on Fury’s struggles in that fight.

What bothers him most is Fury’s claim that he trained very hard to prepare for Ngannou.

If Fury actually trained as hard as he claims, then Zhang expects him to have a lot of problems when he steps in the ring with Usyk.

“I think it is simple, Fury didn’t train for this fight [against Ngannou],” Zhang told Metro.co.uk. “To be honest with you, he is not the version we are used to seeing.

“I can see his mindset is not in boxing at the moment, he is doing commercial things, he is doing PR, marketing, different things, but not boxing. And in this business, you can’t really fool yourself. You can’t fool training.

“After the fight [against Ngannou] in his press conference and interviews he said he had a good training camp for that fight. If that is the case, he has a very big problem going into the Usyk fight.”

Zhang, who is currently the WBO’s mandatory challenger, would like to see Fury come out on top so they can finally go through with their fight.

Earlier this year, Fury and Zhang were close to a deal – but their discussions fell apart when Joe Joyce exercised an immediate rematch clause to force a second meeting with Zhang.

The Chinese giant believes his power will do a lot of damage on Fury.

“If you look at his career, he’s got hit, he’s got dropped, and my punches are not a joke,” Zhang told the Town Bizznizz sports and ent YouTube channel.

“When my punches land, it’s going to be a disaster for him.”