Manny Pacquiao returning to the ring after losing Philippines senatorial race

MANILA, Philippines >> Boxing great Manny Pacquiao is coming out of retirement to fight Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight crown in July.

Pacquiao’s team made the announcement on Thursday, just hours after he conceded defeat in a bid for another seat in the Philippines Senate.

“His comeback aligns with his scheduled induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June, capping a storied sports legacy that continues to inspire millions of Filipino people,” the press statement said.

It was not clear if the fight at a Las Vegas venue to be decided is a one-off or if 46-year-old Pacquiao is coming out of a four-year retirement to box full-time. Asked to clarify, his communications officer Joey Hernal said the media should wait for Pacquiao’s own press conference.

In the statement, Pacquiao promised to continue serving the country despite losing in the mid-term elections.

“I may not have won in my run for the Senate, but I am totally grateful for each vote, each prayer and support,” Pacquaio said in Filipino.

He even thanked voters who did not choose him because “you were part of the process to strengthen our democracy.”

He said he remains committed to serve the country. “The fight continues. Service continues. For God. For the country. For each Filipino,” he added.

Colts apologize to Tyreek Hill and Microsoft for schedule release video

INDIANAPOLIS >> The Indianapolis Colts have apologized to Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill and Microsoft for a video released on social media during Wednesday night’s NFL schedule release.

The video was a spoof of the popular video game Minecraft, which is owned by Microsoft, and poked some fun at Hill with a dolphin wearing a Hill jersey being stopped by a U.S. Coast Guard boat with a blaring siren. The post was quickly deleted.

Indy opens its season Sept. 7 against the Dolphins.

Many teams compile videos to accompany the league’s annual schedule release and most use them to try to attract new and younger fans. But the Colts’ video drew attention for other reasons.

“We removed our schedule release video because it exceeded our rights with Microsoft and included an insensitive clip involving Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill,” the Colts said Thursday. “We sincerely apologize to Microsoft and Tyreek.”

Crash neutralizes Giro stage 6. Groves sprints to victory, Pedersen stays in pink

NAPLES, Italy >> Australian cyclist Kaden Groves sprinted to victory in a chaotic sixth stage of the Giro d’Italia that had be neutralized following a massive crash on Thursday.

When 2022 winner Jai Hindley slid on the wet roads, riders toppled in domino style with about 70 kilometers (43 miles) left on the 227-kilometer (141-mile) route from Potenza to Naples.

Hindley was taken to hospital with reported concussion and other riders also had to abandon the three-week race.

With all of the ambulances in use, the stage was neutralized for safety reasons while it was discussed how best to continue.

Two breakaway riders and the peloton were brought to a halt. The race resumed with about 60 kilometers remaining and the decision that only the stage win would count and no points, time gaps or bonuses would be awarded.

— The Associated Press

That option allowed Naples to get its stage finish and the sprinters could vie for a prestigious win but the overall contenders could remain as safe as possible.

Overall leader Mads Pedersen, who won three of the opening five stages, preserved his 17-second advantage over pre-race favorite Primoz Roglic, and Mathias Vacek was another seven seconds back.

Groves beat Milan Fretin in a much-reduced bunch sprint to the finish line after the longest stage of this Giro, with Paul Magnier third.

It was Groves’ first win of the year after a knee injury sidelined the Alpecin—Deceuninck rider for several races.

“The team always believes in me,” he said. “With the injury I missed a lot of racing and I was arriving here without a win, so the first one for the year is a big relief.

“Once it started raining, I felt quite a bit better, actually. I’m quite good in the colder weather conditions. I had confidence in my team also, I believe in them, and they always do a super job.”

Friday’s seventh stage sees the first summit finish in the hardest leg so far. There are four classified climbs on the 168-kilometer route from Castel di Sangro, including the top category ascent to the finish in Tagliacozzo.

The Giro ends in Rome on June 1.

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports