Former Tennis Star Jimmy Connors Wagered on Himself to Win Wimbledon

Former Tennis star Jimmy Connors released his memoir 'The Outsider' last week which touches on his roller coaster career in Tennis and his personal life. Some interesting topics that are touched on is Connors competitiveness along with his gambling habits. He stated that he placed big wagers on himself to win Wimbledon at a London betting house. This is oddly familiar territory like Pete Rose and baseball. I have not read this book yet or know if this is answered in the book so questions remain if he bet on Tennis often, was he always betting on himself and was he always betting on himself to win? Will we see the International Tennis Federation take any action even though Connors is already in the International Tennis Hall of Fame or will history be left in the past?

Was the 2013 Preakness Horse Race Fixed?

Was the 2013 Preakness horse race last weekend fixed? I am not saying it was or wasn't but it sure seems like one of those events you need to question. Orb, the clear favorite went off at final odds of 3-5 with the next closest horse Itsmyluckyday went off at 8-1. I can't recall hearing so many experts and casual gamblers alike all taking the same horse in one race. I don't have numbers to support this but it sure seems like everyone and their mom's were taking Orb in this race with very little action on other horses to win. The Preakness host Pimlico and OTB's worldwide cleaned house on this one race, so much so that I have to question it. Sure, a horse or jockey can have an off day or race but this favorite should have moved towards the end. Orb was stuck in the middle for a little but had time to make it's move and never did in a race that only featured nine horses compared to the 19 that ran in the Kentucky Derby that Orb had no problem winning. Something seems fishy to me about the race. No, I did not have any action on this race but I almost went to the OTB and glad I ultimately did not.

Boxer Dillian Whyte Suspended for Two Years

This news is a little late but boxer Dillian Whyte was recently suspended for two years after testing positive for the banned substance methylhexaneamine (MHA). MHA is classified as a stimulant but has been questioned if it should truly be considered a performance enhancing drug or not as it's effectiveness would be minimal if any. It very well could be ingested from certain food supplements and possibly energy drinks. Whyte says he ingested this while using the supplement Jack3D. He appealed the suspension but it was upheld to emphasize to other athletes the dangers of taking MHA. Advantage or not athletes should steer clear of things like this and keep clean.

Is Clay Buchholz Doctoring Baseballs?

On May first Clay Buchholz and the Boston Red Sox dominated the Toronto Blue Jays 10-1 behind Buchholz's seven shutout innings striking out eight and only allowing two hits. The scoreboard crew in Toronto noticed something funny from the video footage, it appeared that Buchholz may have had some sort of substance on his left forearm that he would swipe with two of his fingers. Although the Blue Jays did not accuse Buchholz of cheating and no one approached him during the game, Blue Jays broadcaster and former pitcher Jack Morris definitely believes he was cheating and also throwing spitballs. It very well could have been sweat and rosin but who knows. Buchholz is putting up crazy statistics so far this season going 6-0 with a 1.01 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings over his first six starts. Whether he was doctoring baseballs or not he will certainly be scrutinized from here on out.

NFL Linebacker Larry Grant Suspened Four Games for PED Use

Unrestriced free agent linebacker Larry Grant was recently suspended for the first four games of the 2013 season for violating NFL policies on performance-enhancing drugs. If signed by a new team he can participate in off season practices and preseason games. Teams will still need someone to fill his void for four games so may pass on him with other veterans or newly drafter players. Bad timing for Mr. Grant and shows you why you shouldn't bother with these things in the first place.

NASCAR Penalizes Team Penske

Just before the start of the NRA 500 on April 13th at the Texas Motor Speedway Team Penske was penalized for rear-end housings that failed pre-race inspection. NASCAR requires all suspension systems and parts to be pre-approved prior to being used in competition. Because these parts were not pre-approved they were confiscated by NASCAR, Penske drivers Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano were stripped of 25 points, both crew chiefs fined $100k and suspended for six races and several other team members were also suspended for six weeks. Penske Racing does plan to appeal these penalties.

Lebanese Soccer Referees Received Sexual Services to fix a Match

Lebanese soccer referees Ali Sabbagh, Ali Eid and Abdallah Taleb were recently charged with receiving free sexual services to fix an Asian Football Confederation Cup match in Singapore. These are high level officials who have worked games for the Asian Football Confederation, Lebanese top league and matches between national teams. Sounds like the referees received the red card this time for their violations.

UFC Legend Don Frye Alleges Brock Lesnar Fights were Fixed

UFC legend Don Frye alleges that both Randy Couture and Frank Mir threw their fights with former UFC champion Brock Lesnar. He claims the UFC hand fed Lesnar easy fights, pumped him up and then fixed his big fights. Lesnar is a wrestler with the WWE so he has that type of background and the UFC did make a boatload of money off him. Check out the second half of the video to hear Don's claims.

Former Cyclist Grischa Niermann Suspended for Doping

Recently former German cyclist Grischa Niermann came forward to admit his use of EPO from 2000-2003. Niermann came forward to admit his doping past to help fight for a clean sport and educate younger riders of his negative experiences. Although a coach now Niermann still received a reduced six month suspension that started on February 15th. Are any top level cyclists clean these days?

MMA Fighter Lavar Johnson Fails UFC 157 Post-Fight Drug Test

UFC fighter Lavar Johnson failed his UFC 157 post-fight drug test according to the California State Athletic Commission. Johnson failed due to elevated testosterone levels which was confirmed by a secondary carbon isotope ratio test and was consistent with steroid use. This doesn't bode well for his future in the UFC who recently released him.

A Canadian Loophole for Georges St-Pierre?

The norm for MMA fights is to allow a one pound allowance at their official weigh-in except for title fights where both fighters must be the exact weight or below. A recently leaked video shows the UFC's Senior VP of Business and Legal Affairs and Assistant General Counsel, Michael Mersh, state to Nick Diaz and camp ten minutes before weigh-in that they will allow a 0.9 lb weigh-in allowance at UFC 158. He goes on to say that 170.9 will still count as 170 even. They question why they were not told before with no solid answer. Was Georges St-Pierre slightly overweight prior to his UFC 158 weigh-in? With such a highly anticipated fight was the UFC giving special treatment to one of their biggest stars and to keep the fight a title fight? Nick Diaz did weigh in at 169 while Georges St-Pierre weighed in at 170. Was St-Pierre truly at 170 or higher? He always does appear to be bigger and roided out for his fights. Hopefully this video does not get deleted.

Red Sox Suggested PED Use to Curt Schilling

Several weeks ago former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling told ESPN radio that former members of the Red Sox organization suggested the use of performance enhancing drugs to lengthen his career. The conversation was in the clubhouse in earshot of several people so obviously nothing to hide from others and common place in that clubhouse at the time. I don't doubt that PED use was rampant in MLB and probably still is.

The Question of Transgender Athletes

If you are a MMA fan you might have heard the news over the past few days of the first transgender fighter Fallon Fox. Fox is a professional fighter with a 5-0 record with all fights coming to a stop in the first round. News broke of Fox's gender change days after her last victory at Championship Fight Alliance. Fox born a man underwent gender reassignment surgery along with supplemental hormone therapy over six years ago. Currently the International Olympic Committee sides with the new gender after two years of hormone replacement therapy. The MMA world is buzzing and both sides are making their opinions heard. Curious what our readers think, should Fallon Fox be allowed to compete in MMA against other women or does she have any advantages?

MLB Investigating More PED Usage

Major League Baseball is currently investigating more performance enhancing drug (PED) usage among it's current players. This time they are seeking the records of Biogenesis Anti-Aging Clinic founder Tony Bosch who has a notebook of PED plans for baseball players including Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun, Melky Cabrera, Nelson, Cruz, Gio Gonzalez and other players over the last three years. No surprise here but will monitor this story to see who they officially link to this and the consequences they hand down.