games for Montreal last season. Geoffrion won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award in 2010 as the top player in U.S. university hockey with the Wisconsin Badgers. He was select

Former welterweight and junior welterweight world titleholder Marcos Maidana had not fought since the second of back-to-back decision losses to Floyd Mayweather in September 2014, but although he was enjoying the good life after those two enormous paydays, he recently hinted at a comeback.?In the months following the second fight with Mayweather, photos of Chino circulated on the internet in which he appeared to be pushing cruiserweight rather than welterweight. But when he attended younger brother Fabian Maidanas July 23 fight in San Antonio, he appeared in far better condition, leading to renewed speculation that he would make a ring return.But on Tuesday, the 33-year-old Maidana, who turned pro in 2004, won two world titles, made millions and fought in the kind of bruising manner that made him a fan favorite, announced his retirement.?After a long time out of the ring and after giving it a lot of thought since my last fight Ive decided to hang up the gloves for good, Maidana wrote in a letter addressed to boxing friends on social media. Probably my decision would not surprise much as I had given hints of it in the last few months. But at this time I am making it official.Before anything else, I must say that I leave very proud and deeply thankful to boxing and everything that I have achieved. Ive really never imagined getting this far when I put on a pair of gloves for the very first time when I was 15 in my native Margarita City. I think I was able to put the name of my country Argentina very high after winning two world titles, winning and losing against the best fighters of the world.I had a tough career and I fulfilled many of my dreams. I am a very happy man with my family and friends by my side these days. I know many of you think that I still have things to do and battles to fight. And I respect them. That is something that I had in my mind in the last few months. But only those who really know what a real challenge is, like the ones I always had, may understand that you have to be absolutely motivated to approach them.Only through a great physical and mental effort you can mix in the ring with best of the world if winning is your goal. And I always wanted to win. Today I do not feel motivated enough, do not have the fire inside me to intend to climb those mountains again. That is why I announce my retirement. At this time when I take a look back at my career I want to thank so many people that helped me to have what I call a successful career.Maidana gave thanks to the many people who helped him along the way, among them: Ricardo Linari, who discovered him; trainers Ricardo Ferreiro, Robert Garcia, Rudy Perez and Rafael Liendo; longtime adviser Sebastian Contursi; adviser Al Haymon; strength coaches Raul Robles, Cruz Garcia, Alex Ariza and Cicilio Flores; promoters Golden Boy and Universum; and his family.To my parents, Olga and Americo, to my wife Mariana, to my son Nahuel and my daughter Emilia, to all of them, thanks for standing by me for such a long ride, he said. Last but not the least, to my dear fans, who always supported and cheered me either from their homes or from the stands of all the arenas where I fought. I will never forget that chanting: Chi-nooooo, Chi-nooooo!Maidana (35-5, 31 KOs) fought the first two years of his career exclusively in Argentina before signing with now-defunct German promoter Universum and fighting on its cards in Germany, including his first world title opportunity, a split-decision loss to Andriy Kotelnik for a junior welterweight belt in February 2009.But in his next fight, in June 2009, Maidana made his American debut with Golden Boy in rock em, sock em style. Headlining a card at Staples Center in Los Angeles, he was the underdog against rising star Victor Ortiz. But in a wild, frenzied fight of the year contender, Maidana survived three knockdowns in the first two rounds, dropped Ortiz in the first and sixth rounds and made him quit in the sixth to win a vacant interim junior welterweight belt in an epic fight.Maidanas fights became must-see TV. He won his next three and then found himself in another barnburner, albeit it a close decision loss to Amir Khan in a world title bout in December 2010?that was voted fight of the year by the Boxing Writers Association of America. He then beat future Hall of Famer Erik Morales in another slugfest for a vacant interim title and was later elevated to a full titleholder, defending once against Petr Petrov in an Argentina homecoming bout.When Maidana moved up to welterweight he suffered a controversial 10-round decision loss to Devon Alexander. But then Maidana won his next four fights, including exciting battles against Jesus Soto Karass and Josesito Lopez and the biggest win of his career, a punishing decision in an upset of Adrien Broner, whom he knocked down twice and embarrassed, to win a welterweight world title in December 2013.It was the superb showing against Broner that drew the attention of Mayweather, whom he first fought in May 2014 in a welterweight title unification bout. Maidana gave Mayweather one of the toughest fights of his career, but Mayweather won a majority decision, prompting him to give Maidana a rematch four months later.Maidana had his moments against Mayweather again, but lost a unanimous decision in what turned out to be his final fight, assuming the retirement sticks.At this time I start a new stage in which I will remain close to boxing, advising and unconditionally supporting Team Maidana, aiming for new generations to reach the highest levels, Maidana said. I will be there for our (featherweight titlist) Jesus Cuellar, for new great prospects like Brian Casta?o, my brother Fabian Maidana (and) Alan Casta?o, who are already making some noise internationally; for Javier Maciel. Also I will be there for the new kids like Neri Romero and Luis Veron. And most likely I will be there for many others who will join us along the road looking for great challenges. My goal is to pass the baton over to them now.Fake Nike NFL Jerseys . The Croatian served 21 aces and hit 42 winners against Sijsling, who double-faulted to give Cilic a 4-3 lead in the deciding set. "All the players, they know me and they were really happy to see me and they were really happy that this is over for me," Cilic said. Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap . Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. https://www.chinajerseysnfl.us/ .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. Wholesale NFL Jerseys China . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. Cheap NFL Jerseys China .com) - The Calgary Flames aim to bounce back from their first regulation home loss of the campaign on Friday night when they host a Detroit Red Wings club that they swept in three meetings a season ago.MONTREAL -- Montreal Canadiens forward Blake Geoffrion announced his retirement on Monday. The 25-year-old had been considering stepping away from hockey due to lingering effects of a skull fracture and concussion suffered during an American Hockey League game in November. Geoffrion, the grandson of Canadiens legend Bernie Geoffrion and great-grandson of superstar Howie Morenz, notified general manager Marc Bergevin in March that he might retire. "After suffering an injury in November and taking time to recover and reflect, I have decided to step away from the game of hockey for the time being," Geoffrion said in a statement Monday. The six-foot-one centre was skating for the Hamilton Bulldogs when he suffered a depressed skull fracture from a hit by defenceman Jean-Philippe Cote of the Syracuse Crunch during a Nov. 9 American Hockey League game at the Bell Centre. The Plantation, Fla., native underwent surgery a day later to repair damage that his faather Dan Geoffrion, who also played briefly for the Canadiens, said could have been life-threatening or caused brain damage.dddddddddddd The Canadiens acquired Geoffrion on Feb. 25, 2012 as part of a trade that sent defenceman Hal Gill to the Nashville Predators. He had two goals in 13 games for Montreal last season. Geoffrion won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award in 2010 as the top player in U.S. university hockey with the Wisconsin Badgers. He was selected in the second round of the 2006 NHL draft by Nashville. He has eight goals and five assists in 55 career NHL games. "A young player appreciated by everyone within our organization, Blake has shown a lot of courage since suffering a serious injury," said Bergevin. "He made the decision to end his professional hockey career and we wish him the very best in his future endeavours." In other news, the Canadiens signed third-round pick, forward Sven Andrighetto to an entry-level contract. ' ' '