TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama and coach Nick Saban are defending the decision to block defensive back Maurice Smiths transfer to Georgia.Smith has graduated and sought a release from his scholarship entering his final season. Saban blocked his transfer to Southeastern Conference schools.The statement released through media relations Thursday said Alabama officials remain happy to assist Maurice to enable a transfer to any non-SEC school, and have been doing everything requested regarding that throughout this process.Smith was spotted around the football building when the Crimson Tide held its first practice on Thursday. Saban addressed the situation after practice and said Smith had opportunities to go to schools outside the SEC.I know theres a lot of talk out there and interest in the Maurice Smith deal, Saban said. Nothing has changed. We support the SEC rule of not granting guys release to go to other SEC schools. It has been our policy here not to do that unless there was a special circumstance.Saban declined to comment when asked if he felt there was a chance that Smith could wind up at Georgia.The statement noted that wide receiver Chris Black was allowed to transfer to Missouri after he had surgery in the middle of last season and left the program. Blacks scholarship had not been renewed. Alabama said the decision to support a waiver from the SEC in Blacks case was the exception and not the rule. Braden Holtby Capitals Jersey . Isner, ranked No. 14, won his eighth career singles title and took the title in New Zealand for the second time after his victory in 2010. The match was similar to Isners quarterfinal victory over fifth-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber which went to three sets, all tiebreaks and contained no breaks of serve. John Carlson Jersey .5 seconds to play in the game, Kevin Love never stopped believing that they would come out of there with a win. http://www.capitalsteamstoreonline.com/authentic-jonas-siegenthaler-capitals-jersey/ . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Dmitry Orlov Jersey . After Gasquet beat fifth-seeded Ivan Dodig of Croatia 7-5, 6-3, Tsonga followed up with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 win against sixth-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin in an all-French match. Lars Eller Capitals Jersey . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. Jimmy Wilde, for many Britains best ever boxer, first became world champion on this day [Dec. 18] 100 years ago.The little Welshman, who was just 5-foot-3 tall, was known as the The Mighty Atom and The Ghost with the Hammer in his Hand.Born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, the son of a coal miner, Wilde was sent to work in the pits from a young age. But he escaped a life underground when he started to box aged 16 in fairground booths.He turned professional later in his teens and went 93-0-1 before he lost his unbeaten record. He totalled 136 bouts, though it was probably far more, with just three recorded defeats.Wilde served as a sergeant PT instructor based at Aldershot during the First World War and in 1916 he put together a string of significant wins.Wilde had claimed a version of the world title when he stopped Joe Symonds earlier in 1916 and also had victories over Sid Smith and Tancy Lee, who he knocked out for the European title.But he was not recognised as the undisputed flyweight champion until he halted his Italian-American opponent the Young Zulu KKid -- whose real name was Frankie di Melfi -- in the 11th round at Holborn Stadium.ddddddddddddWilde hurt Kid with a left to the jaw and the American sunk to one knee after taking a pummelling on the ropes. Wilde seized his chance with more heavy blows and when Kid went down again the Americans corner threw in the towel.Despite looking frail and with long, skinny limbs, Wilde was a fearsome champion. By the time he climbed into the ring to face Young Zulu Kid -- also known as Fighting Newsboy -- he had suffered only one defeat to Tancy Lee, which Wilde avenged in June 1916.The world flyweight champion toured America from December 1919 with 11 bouts in six months. Wilde held on to his world title until 1923, when he lost it to Filipino Pancho Villa in New York. After the seventh round knockout defeat, Wilde announced his retirement.Wilde died aged 76 in 1969, after being mugged a few years earlier at Cardiff railway station. ' ' '