t gives us a lot of flexibility and makes it harder for teams when they

RIO DE JANEIRO -- The two most successful nations in Olympic boxing history somehow havent faced each other with a gold medal on the line in 20 years.U.S. bantamweight Shakur Stevenson and Cubas Robeisy Ramirez will end that drought Saturday in a fight that could resonate through boxing for years.Two of the most spectacular fighters at the Rio Olympics have emerged from a terrifically talented division to face off for gold. Floyd Mayweather isnt the only boxing promoter who will be watching closely when the smooth American and the lyrical Cuban trade punches for the first time -- and probably not the last.I think its about to be a great matchup, Stevenson said. Weve got the 2012 Olympic gold medalist from Cuba, great fighter. Youve got the up-and-coming rising superstar from the USA, and were about to put on a show. Were ready to turn this place out.After winning gold as a flyweight in London, Ramirez has more experience than the 19-year-old Stevenson. Yet Stevenson has never lost an amateur fight in international competition, soaring from Newark to Rio in a meteoric career.Hes a good fighter with a lot of good technical skills, Ramirez said of Stevenson. Its a great matchup for our final fight at the Olympics. Hes a guy that likes to fight, and so am I. Hes a guy that brings a lot of skill and intelligence to the ring.Stevenson is one fight away from winning the first gold medal for an American man since Andre Ward, his favorite boxer, did it 12 years ago. Stevenson and Ward have spoken throughout the tournament.Stevenson also received advice from Mayweather, who traveled to Rio to watch the top pro prospect on the American team. Mayweather also got a look at Ramirez, who has showed off the skills and athleticism reminiscent of every great boxer of Cubas illustrious Olympic past.But Ramirez is part of a new generation: Rather than treating opponents with chilly indifference and ignoring media outside the ring, he is a friendly, self-effacing personality who eagerly gives interviews and expounds on his fights with a personality that suggests he could be popular outside Cuba.Im not feeling pressure so much as Im really excited, said Ramirez, who got suspended from the national team in 2014 for repeatedly missing training. I had a low moment, but my family and my teammates all helped me get back up, and I want to get that medal. I need that medal.Stevenson will be fresher than Ramirez, who had to fight four times to reach the final. Stevenson got a first-round bye, and he had to win only two fights before he advanced Thursday by walkover when battered Russian bronze medalist Vladimir Nikitin couldnt pass his medical check.No matter the outcome, Stevenson and Ramirez realize they probably havent seen the last of each other -- if Ramirez eventually elects to turn pro in the West, that is.When theyre told that they could easily be headliners in a Vegas pay-per-view fight in the near future, both fighters dismiss the prospect with a smile.Ramirez realizes there will be speculation about his interest in turning pro after this matchup, but he has claimed his focus is entirely on winning another gold medal for his girlfriend and their daughter, Renata.But he also enjoyed his chance to speak with Mayweather about the future beyond this landmark matchup.Hes the champion of champions, Ramirez said with a grin. He told me to do my best here. It makes me really proud. Alex Len Jersey . 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Melbourne City are hoping a transformation to become the A-Leagues shapeshifters will pay dividends this season.City are among the bookies favourites for the league, which kicks off on Friday night.John van t Schips side start with a trip to face Wellington on Saturday and winger Bruce Kamau says the Phoenix will be hard pressed working out how to prepare.City showed their tactical flexibility last season under van t Schip, playing with Bruno Fornaroli as either a lone or partnered striker depending on the occasion.At times, with varying degrees of success, City were deployed with three at the back.Kamau says the club have stepped up trials of different formations in pre-season as they look for new routes to victory.It gives us a lot of flexibility and makes it harder for teams when they come up against us, he told reporters on Thursday.We have such a strong squad, we can easily swap from one formation to another.While Kamau is unlikely to shift fromm his role on a flank, no matter what the formation, Connor Chapman will be busy.ddddddddddddThe 21-year-old has played centrally for the bulk of his career but could find himself working more at right-back in 2016/17.Its a role he played late in last years run to the semi-finals and he says hes happy to pick it back up if it is working for the team.Theres a lot of competition in the team. Wherever the coach puts you, youve got to play and do your job, he said.Its a position that is obviously not my No.1 position but Im definitely not uncomfortable. I can do a job.The Phoenix will be below full strength for the match, with four senior players away on New Zealand international duty and Matthew Ridenton injured.But City have their own unavailabilities, with star man Tim Cahill and Steve Kuzmanovski away with national teams. ' ' '