SOCAL REGIONAL PLAYOFFS

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

Semifinals

OPEN DIVISION

Cathedral Catholic d. Redondo Union, 22-25, 25-19, 25-12, 25-16

Mater Dei d. Sierra Canyon, 25-18, 18-25, 25-22, 22-25, 15-13

DIVISION I

Palos Verdes d. Huntington Beach, 25-23, 25-18, 25-23

Santa Margarita d. Oaks Christian, 18-25, 25-27, 26-24, 25-23, 15-11

DIVISION II

Eastlake d. Bakersfield Christian, 25-23, 26-24, 25-9

Bakersfield Centennial d. Windward, 29-27, 25-18, 22-25, 25-13

DIVISION III

Central Valley Christian d. El Dorado, 25-20, 25-10, 22-25, 25-21

Palisades d. Porterville, 25-19, 25-18, 25-23

DIVISION IV

Walnut d. Brawley, 25-18, 25-13, 24-26, 25-21

South Pasadena d. Crossroads, 3-2

DIVISION V

Bell Gardens d. Eagle Rock, 25-20, 26-24, 25-21

Reseda d. Woodlake, 25-10, 25-23, 25-21

TUESDAY’S SCHEDULE

Matches at 6 p.m. unless noted

Finals

OPEN DIVISION

#2 Mater Dei at #1 Cathedral Catholic

DIVISION I

#10 Santa Margarita at #4 Palos Verdes

DIVISION II

#5 Eastlake at #2 Bakersfield Centennial

DIVISION III

#2 Palisades at #1 Central Valley Christian

DIVISION IV

#2 South Pasadena at #1 Walnut

DIVISION V

#5 Bell Gardens at #2 Reseda

Note: Regional Finals in all divisions Tuesday at higher seeds; State Finals in Divisions I & V Nov. 22 at Santiago Canyon College; Finals in Open, II, III & IV Nov. 23 at Santiago Canyon College.

While the outcome of the antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR remains unclear, there’s now one certainty: The teams suing NASCAR — Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports — will race in 2025.

The teams said Saturday morning NASCAR modified the 2025 “open” agreement for all teams by removing a clause preventing them from bringing legal action. That clause was the subject of an injunction request that is now under appeal.

Though the teams continue to seek a court order to race as “charter” teams — which comes with guaranteed entry into each race, along with much higher payouts — the new development means 23XI and Front Row will at a minimum be allowed to show up for each race. While that seemed like a likely outcome, the teams can reassure their drivers and sponsors they’ll still be competing as the lawsuit continues to move forward.

“We are pleased to announce that NASCAR has removed the anticompetitive release requirement in its open agreement, which will now allow 23XI and Front Row Motorsports to race as open teams in 2025,” the teams’ attorney Jeffrey Kessler said in a statement.

“My clients will continue their appeal to the Fourth Circuit to issue an injunction so that they can run as chartered teams therefore avoiding irreparable harm.

“Both race teams are pleased that they will continue to be a participant in this sport that they love while fighting to make it fair and just for all.”

Racing as “open” teams does come with competitive risk. If more than 40 cars show up for an event such as the Daytona 500, the drivers would have to qualify their way into the field — meaning there’s a chance big names like Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick could miss the race.

NASCAR and the teams faced off in court on Nov. 4, when the teams asked U.S. District Court Judge Frank Whitney for a preliminary injunction that would both waive the clause in question and allow them to sign the charter agreements that was offered on Sept. 6. But on Nov. 8, the judge denied the teams’ request and ruled it was too early for them to claim the level of irreparable harm that meets the standard for an injunction.

“Although Plaintiffs allege they are on the brink of irreparable harm, the 2025 racing season is months away — the stock cars remain in the garage,” Whitney said.

“At this stage, the teams are no closer to irreparable harm than they are to the command, ‘Drivers, start your engines,’ at the first race of the 2025 season.”

The teams appealed Whitney’s decision to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, but no date has been set for a potential hearing.

NASCAR did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Required reading

(Photo: James Gilbert / Getty Images)

Less than 24 hours after losing to Jake Paul in their highly anticipated bout, Mike Tyson says he has “no regrets” over having entered the ring one final time at 58 years old. 

But as he was preparing for his first professional fight in nearly two decades, Tyson revealed that his health scare earlier this year was actually a near-death experience. 

Tyson posted on X on Saturday afternoon, where he revealed that his ulcer, which caused him to go to the hospital, led to him almost passing away. 

“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won,” the tweet began. “I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in the ring one last time.

“I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions,” he wrote. “Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won.

“To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you.”

MIKE TYSON’S LEGENDARY BOXING CAREER OVER THE YEARS: PHOTOS

Paul commented underneath Tyson’s statement saying, “Love you Mike. It was an honor. You’re an inspiration to us all.”

The Netflix docuseries leading up to the bout between Paul and Tyson saw the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion of the world talking about what happened on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles at the end of May. 

“A week and a half ago, I was training and I was doing great and then all of a sudden I started feeling tired,” Tyson said in the docuseries. “I was explaining to my trainer I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Coming here from Miami on the plane, I went to the bathroom, and I threw up blood. The next thing I know, I’m on the floor – I was defecating tar.”

(L-R) Jake Paul announced as winner against Mike Tyson during LIVE On Netflix: Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium on November 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.  (Al Bello/Getty Images for Netflix © 2024)

Upon testing, it was found that Tyson had a 2.5-inch ulcer that was bleeding, causing him to have such symptoms. 

“I asked the doctor, ‘Am I gonna die?’ and she didn’t say no,” he added in the show. “She said, ‘We have options, though.’ That’s when I got nervous.”

Tyson was eventually cleared to return to training, where he says he needed to gain back his weight lost and continue building his endurance. 

The fight, despite fans and critics opining on social media that it was a downer, saw Tyson last all eight, two-minute rounds against Paul, who was eventually ruled the winner by unanimous decision. 

Paul did a bow to Tyson to honor him during the final ticks of the eighth round, and the two fighters shared an embrace afterwards. 

Sept. 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas. Boxer Mike Tyson on the field before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium. (Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)

Being that this was a sanctioned fight in the state of Texas, Tyson’s final record for his illustrious career is 50-7 with 44 knockouts, while Paul is now 11-1 with seven knockouts.