Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. NHL roundup: Blackhawks build big lead, hold off Leafs

Brendan Perlini had a goal and two assists, Brandon Saad added a goal and an assist, and the visiting Chicago Blackhawks held on to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 Wednesday night. The Maple Leafs trailed 5-0 before scoring four consecutive goals, including three in the third period, when they took 30 shots. Exclusive: La Liga slams 'catastrophic' UEFA proposals, welcomes FIFA Club World Cup plans

UEFA proposals to change part of the Champions League format would be "catastrophic" for soccer but FIFA plans to overhaul the Club World Cup will be a boon for the sport, La Liga president Javier Tebas told Reuters on Thursday. Tebas lashed out at changes he said Europe's governing body is considering making to the Champions League, saying they would damage domestic competitions. NBA roundup: Warriors end Rockets' 9-game win streak

DeMarcus Cousins served as a facilitator before thriving as a battering ram, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 106-104 victory over the host Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Cousins posted season-highs in points (27) and assists (seven) to help the Warriors avert a four-game, season-series sweep by the Rockets. Kenya, Ethiopia urge IAAF not to cut Diamond League races

Kenyan athletics chiefs said on Thursday they would oppose the decision by world governing body to drop the 5,000m and 10,000m from the lucrative Diamond League circuit. Athletics Kenya (AK) president Jackson Tuwei said it was "totally unfair" to drop the two events in which African athletes have been doing very well. Boxing: Yearning for Olympic gold, 'Magnificent Mary' keeps punching

M.C. Mary Kom has spent close to two decades slugging it out in the ring but even at 36 one of the most decorated women boxers in the amateur game has no intention of quitting before she gets a chance to land the ultimate prize in Tokyo next year. 'Magnificent Mary', as she is known in India, was a bronze medalist at the 2012 Olympics in London and won a record sixth gold medal at the World Amateur Boxing Championships last year. MLB increases All-Star, HR Derby bonuses

The winner of the 2019 Home Run Derby will earn a $1 million bonus, and there is a boost coming for this year's All-Star selections, MLB announced in a rules update for the upcoming season. The proposed changes must be ratified by baseball's 30 owners to become official. Olympics: Sony wins Tokyo 2020 broadcast rights in India, subcontinent

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) has won the broadcast rights in India and the subcontinent for next year's Tokyo Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Thursday. SPN, owned by Sony Corp, was awarded the rights across all media platforms and will also broadcast the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne next year. Spring training roundup: Syndergaard tops Cole in pitchers' duel

Noah Syndergaard threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings Wednesday, surrendering just two hits and striking out five to lead the New York Mets to a 2-1 win over the visiting Houston Astros at Port St. Lucie, Fla. It was billed as pitchers' duel, with Syndergaard taking on Houston ace Gerrit Cole, and the game was scoreless through three innings. Baseball: Yankees v Red Sox game in London a best-seller: StubHub

Major League Baseball's first-ever game in London featuring world champion Boston Red Sox and rival New York Yankees is the best-selling game of the 2019 regular season, ticket seller StubHub said on Thursday. Following matchups in Mexico and Japan in recent years, the league is making its first foray into Europe with hopes of expanding its international reach with the help of its two most-storied franchises. NFL transactions notebook: NT Mebane agrees to deal with Chargers

Nose tackle Brandon Mebane remained with the Los Angeles Chargers after agreeing to a two-year deal on Wednesday, according to the team. Mebane had 40 tackles and one sack in 12 games last season, his third with the franchise. He has 17.5 career sacks in 12 NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks (2007-15) and Chargers.