CARDIFF, Wales -- Orlando Cruz of Puerto Rico will have to wait to become the first openly gay boxer to win a world title after being stopped in the eighth round by WBO lightweight champion Terry Flanagan on Saturday.Flanagan, a British fighter, improved his professional record to 32-0 with a successful fourth defense of the belt by knocking Cruz to the canvas twice in the same round in Cardiff.Referee Steve Gray called a halt to proceedings after a powerful right hand from Flanagan.This was the 35-year-old Cruzs 10th bout since declaring his homosexuality in public in 2012, but it was his first in this weight class. His record dropped to 25-5-1. Edwin Encarnacion Jersey . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. Roberto Perez Jersey .Y. - New York City has been selected to host the NBA All-Star weekend in 2015, with the game played at Madison Square Garden and the slam dunk contest and other skills events held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. http://www.indiansteamproshop.com/Indians-Michael-Brantley-Kids-Jersey/ . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. Satchel Paige Jersey .C. -- After a listless first half, the Washington Wizards used a big third quarter run to beat the Charlotte Bobcats Bradley Beal scored 21 points and the Wizards used a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of what had been a close game and beat the Bobcats 97-83 on Tuesday night. Jason Kipnis Jersey . Tuesdays surgery at Atlantas Piedmont Hospital was performed by Dr. Xavier Duralde and Hawks team physician Dr. Michael Bernot. The Queensland Firebirds bolstered their chances of retaining the trans-Tasman netball title after finishing top of the Australian Conference with a 63-52 win over West Coast Fever.After the NSW Swifts drew with Southern Steel on Saturday, the 11-goal victory in Brisbane on Sunday ensured the Firebirds overtook the Sydney-based team by one competition point in the final round of the regular season.West Coast needed a win to ensure they made the finals, but now face a nervous wait as third-placed rivals Melbourne Vixens are even with them on points and are favourites to win their Monday night clash against the struggling Central Pulse.The Firebirds now have a free pass through to week two of the finals where theyll host the Australian Conference final against the Swifts, Vixens or Fever.Firebirds defender Clare McMeniman says her side must now hit the reset switch when approaching their finals campaign.Finals netball is an entirely different game and weve spoken about that, she said.Its an opportunity for us to rest by not playing next weekend and to have a mental break, but at the same time well be heaavily focused on our goal over the next two weeks.ddddddddddddQueensland defeated West Coast by nine goals earlier in the season, although it was the Fever who started positively and led early until the Firebirds claimed the lead inside the final minute of the opening term.Romelda Aiken had 13 first-quarter goals and finished the match with 49 baskets to take her past 570 for the season, while Gretel Tippett celebrated her 23rd birthday with 14 goals and a game-high 42 feeds.The defending champions exerted their dominance in the second quarter and opened a nine-point halftime lead in front of a passionate Brisbane crowd.The Fever edged the Firebirds by one goal during a high-scoring third quarter with Caitlin Bassett sinking 15 of her 39 goals for the match.However, they were unable to make any further impact on the scoreboard during the final term allowing the Firebirds to secure their 13th win of the season and an easier path towards their third trans-Tasman championship. ' ' '