nding knee injury, and rookie guard John Jenkins. Point guard Jeff Teague can become a restricted free agent. Longt

Ricky Burns will make the first defense of his junior welterweight world title against mandatory challenger Kiryl Relikh on Oct. 7 at the SSE Hydro in his hometown of Glasgow, Eddie Hearn announced on Friday.Burns, who has also won world titles at lightweight and junior lightweight and is one of the most successful boxers in Scottish history, is returning to the same arena where he knocked out Italys Michele Di Rocco in the eighth round on May 28 to win a vacant 140-pound world title.Many thought Burns?was just about done when he lost three out of four bouts in 2014 and 2015. All three losses were to top opponents: Terence Crawford, who took his lightweight title, Dejan Zlaticanin, who went on to win a lightweight world title, and former lightweight titlist Omar Figueroa Jr.But Burns (40-5-1, 14 KOs), 33, has won three fights in a row since, all by knockout against lesser opposition. One was the strong performance to claim the belt against Di Rocco.My face at the end of the fight [against Di Rocco] said everything, Burns said. It meant so much to me that win and prove I still have so much to give. It was great to be back in Glasgow, and I said before I had to win to get those nights back again, not just for me but for the future of Scottish boxing.We have some talented kids coming through in Scotland, and its important they get the chance to show what they can do live on [United Kingdom broadcaster] Sky Sports. I put more pressure on myself in that fight than any other. I took plenty of stick before that, as I was apparently finished and on the slide. Everyone had written me off and it felt good to prove them wrong. I cant thank my trainer Tony Sims enough for what hes done. Weve really worked hard together and when I was offered the Di Rocco fight -- I grabbed it with both hands as I knew I could win.Now comes his first defense against 26-year-old Relikh (21-0, 19 KOs), a five-year professional from Belarus, who will be facing the first opponent of any consequence.Relikh is a very tough fight as a first defense. Hes got a high KO ratio, so he will be very dangerous throughout, Burns said. Trust me -- he has my undivided attention, and I will have to be at my best to get through this. There are some massive fights out there in the future against some huge names in the 140-pound division, but were taking it one step at a time, and that starts on Oct. 7 at the Hydro.Relikh, who has registered a knockout in his past 12 fights in a row, is trained and promoted by one of Englands most famous and popular fighters, retired former welterweight and junior welterweight world titleholder Ricky Hatton.Kiryl is one of those cool, unflinching boxers -- nothing fazes him, Hatton said. This is a big opportunity for him, and hes not bothered about being the underdog. Kiryls been training and boxing away from home for years, so hell have no problem going to Scotland for the fight. I think having the crowd against him will bring the best out of him.Ricky Burns is a top-class fighter. You dont win three world titles by being anything less than world class, but there always has to be a changing of the guard, and I think this could be Kiryls time. Hes been working with me in the gym for a while now and every day hes been getting better and better, so I believe people with be a little bit surprised with what they see when gets it on with Burns.In one of the key undercard fights, Scotty Cardle (20-0-1, 6 KOs), 26, will defend the British lightweight title for the third time when he squares off with 32-year-old Kevin Hooper (19-3, 4 KOs).Tony Parker Spurs Jersey . Catch all the action on TSN2 at 11pm et/8pm pt. The nine-time Big 12 champion Jayhawks are positioning themselves for another title, as they have run out to a flawless 6-0 mark in conference play thus far. San Antonio Spurs Jerseys .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. https://www.spurslockerroom.com/Quinndary-Weatherspoon-City-Edition-Jersey/ .875,000, avoiding arbitration. Clippards deal Monday means all eight Nationals players who filed for arbitration wound up settling before a hearing. Chimezie Metu Jersey . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. Sean Elliott Spurs Jersey . Hargreaves began his career in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with the Edmonton Eskimos and last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks named longtime Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer as head coach on Tuesday, giving the team another link to San Antonios championship tradition. General manager Danny Ferry called on his past experience with San Antonio to select Budenholzer to replace Larry Drew as coach. Drews contract expires in June following three seasons as coach. The Hawks have scheduled a news conference for Budenholzer on Wednesday in Atlanta. The Hawks lost to Indiana in the first round of the playoffs. It was the teams sixth straight post-season appearance but Ferry is expected to continue his dramatic makeover of the team after trading Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams in his first year as general manager. The Hawks say Budenholzer will continue serving as the Spurs top assistant through the NBA finals. The Spurs completed a four-game sweep of Memphis in the Western Conference finals on Monday. Ferry came to the Hawks last year after two years as vice-president of basketball operations for the Spurs. With Budenholzer, Ferry now has his own coach after inheriting Drew. "He has an incredible basketball acumen and has a keen awareness of the league and what it takes to be successful," Ferry said Tuesday in a statement released by the team. "His experience and four championships over the last 17 years provide a tremendous foundation for his leadership of our team." Ferry, contacted by The Associated Press on Tuesday, declined to make additional comments until Wednesdays news conference. Ferry calls Budenholzer "Bud" and "Coach Bud." Ferry was believed to have Budenholzer on his short list of candidates from the start of his search. Budenholzer, 43, spent 19 years with the Spurs, including 17 seasons as an assistant. He was the top assistant for coach Gregg Popovich the last six years. "I have been extremely fortunate to be a part of the San Antonio Spurs organization for the last 19 years," Budenholzer said in a statement released by the Hawks. "I knew it would have to be a tremendous situation for me to leave and clearly coming to Atlanta as the head coach of the Hawks is perfect for me. "Ownerships commitment to taking this organization to the next level and creating a unique and special culture, partnering with a general manager like Danny Ferry who I have great respect for, and building a roster that has terrific potential because of the existing core annd the ensuing flexibility presents a rare and uniquely positive opportunity.dddddddddddd" The Hawks new coach is looking for his fifth NBA championship ring this year. The Spurs won NBA titles in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007. Budenholzer began his time with the Spurs as the teams video co-ordinator for two years before being named an assistant coach. He will leave the Spurs with Popovichs blessing. "I couldnt be happier for Mike for many reasons," Popovich said. "As anyone whos been part of this program knows, he has been more of a co-head coach than an assistant for a long time. His knowledge of the game as well as his ability to teach and develop relationships with players are all special. I will miss him a great deal both professionally and personally and am confident that he and Danny will make a great team as the future unfolds." San Antonio guard Tony Parker said Budenholzer "has been extremely important to our success in San Antonio." "He is a great coach," Parker said. "I think the Hawks made an excellent choice and Im very happy for Coach Bud." Led by their new management team of Budenholzer and Ferry, the Hawks could be factors in the free-agent market. Centre Al Horford is the lone starter with a guaranteed contract for next season. The only other players with guaranteed contracts are guard Lou Williams, who is recovering from a season-ending knee injury, and rookie guard John Jenkins. Point guard Jeff Teague can become a restricted free agent. Longtime starting forward Josh Smith tops Atlantas long list of unrestricted free agents. If only the three players with guaranteed contracts return, the Hawks could have about $40 million under the cap to spend in free agency. Drew could not be reached for comment. He endured what was essentially a lame-duck season after the team renewed the option on his contract last summer but didnt give him an extension. Drew was 128-102 in three seasons. "I thought we had a really good season given what our circumstances were. They werent the best," Drew said after the season. "... The one thing I will say is Ive had a great run here." Drew began his time with the Hawks as an assistant under previous coach Mike Woodson. He moved up in 2010 after Woodson was hired. The Hawks advanced to the second round of the playoffs in Drews first season but took first-round losses in 2012 and 2013. ' ' '