Weekend sport: Five things to watch (November 30-December 2)

If dudes beating up other dudes is your thing, this weekend offers a range of fighting action across different codes and weight classes.

Auckland Tuatara vs Canberra Cavalry
Baseball
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
McLeod Park, Te Atatu

 

New Zealand's fledgling professional team are currently 2-5 after two weeks of the Australian Baseball League, sitting bottom of the Northeast division.

Canberra are just above them, so the Kiwis have a chance to improve their position over a four-game home stand.

Kyle Glogoski pitches
Kyle Glogoski pitches for the Tuatara. Photo credit: Photosport

Watch out for local hope Kyle Glogoski, who is expected to pitch a few innings during Saturday's early game, starting noon. The Philadelphia Phillies prospect has conceded just one hit and no runs in 10 innings so far this season.

Black Ferns Sevens
World Sevens Series
Friday/Saturday
Dubai

 

The reigning world champions have qualified unbeaten through to the quarter-finals, where they will face Russia, one of the teams they overcame in pool play.

In a convoluted three-pool format, Russia qualified for knockout stages as one of two third-placed teams - shockingly, the other was Australia.

Micaela Blyde scores
Micaela Blyde scores for the Black Ferns Sevens. Photo credit: Photosport

New Zealand's arch-rivals lost twice in their pool and will need to improve to turn the tables on England in the quarter-finals.

Also unbeaten in pool play, England and Canada loom as the Black Ferns' biggest threats.

Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury
Boxing
3pm (NZT) Sunday
Staples Centre, Los Angeles

 

While Kiwis have been focused on the Joseph Parker's attempt to regroup from his first - and second - defeat as a professional, Wilder and Fury square up for potentially the year's best heavyweight showdown.

Wilder holds the only major belt outside Anthony Joshua's grasp and will test himself against the man that essentially surrendered his titles to Joshua in 2016, when he took time out of the sport.

Needless to say, both these showmen are raving lunatics, and their weigh-in and media conference provided appropriately over-the-top theatre.

Whether they win or lose, either of these guys still loom as potential Parker opponents, so the fight should be enthralling.

Joins us for live updates of Wilder vs Fury.

UFC Fight Night 142
Mixed martial arts
Sunday afternoon (NZT)
Adelaide Entertainment Centre

 

Or, as fight fans might refer to it, Mark Hunt's last stand.

While this event is headlined by heavyweights Junior dos Santos vs Tai Tuivasa, most Kiwi interest will centre on Hunt's final outing under his current UFC contract. He takes on Justin Willis (7-1) in the second-to-last fight on the programme.

Hunt (13-13-1) has lost his last two outings and three of his last four, since his loss to Brock Lesnar was declared no contest, so his star has waned over the past two years. If this is his last UFC outing, he'll want to bow out in style.

Mark Hunt grapples with Curtis Blaydes
Mark Hunt grapples with Curtis Blaydes. Photo credit: Photosport

At the other end of his career - and the fight card - young Auckland flyweight Kai Kara-France makes his UFC debut against Elias Garcia.

Join us for live updates of UFC Fight Night on Sunday afternoon.

Tall Blacks vs Syria
Basketball
3pm Sunday
TSB Arena, Wellington

The New Zealand men are now just one win away from qualifying for next year's inaugural FIBA World Cup, previously known simply as the world championships.

Even without some of their top players - namely guards Tai and Corey Webster, and forwards Isaac Fotu and Finn Delany - the Tall Blacks were way too strong for Jordan on Thursday and should overpower Syria to clinch passage to the China tournament.

The Kiwis beat their rivals 107-66 on the road two months ago, so 16,000km of travel probably won't help the Syrians close that gap.

Rob Loe in action
Rob Loe in action against Jordan. Photo credit: Photosport

Apart from claiming a World Cup berth, the biggest benefit for Tall Blacks coach Paul Henare will be the chance to develop his  depth, with Tom Vodanovich and Kruz Perrott-Hunt debuting against Jordan.

Honourable mentions

  • Ford Trophy: Otago vs Wellington - last in 2017, the southerners host the provincial one-day cricket final.
  • Sonny Bill Williams vs Stu 'The Bachelor' Laundy - a charity boxing mismatch between the former NZ heavyweight champion/All Black and a reality TV star.
  • Jeff Horn vs Anthony Mundine - former world welterweight boxing champ must finally silence the fastest mouth in Aussie sport.

Newshub.