Saturday sports briefs: Knights draft local player, Spence wins WBA title, London Majors win

Ryan Beaulieu (Source: OHL) Natasha “The Nightmare” Spence (Source: Legends Casino) London Majors defeated Welland on June 12, 2026 (Source: Matt Hiscox/London Majors)

The London Knights didn’t have to go far to scout their first-round pick in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection.

With the 14th overall pick, General Manager Mark Hunter selected Ryan Beaulieu, a London Jr. Knights defenceman, whose father Josh played for the Knights from 2003-2007.

In the first live draft in more than 20 years, Hunter thanked the Knights fans and then selected Beaulieu.

“This is a dream,” said Beaulieu on the live broadcast after being selected

“Ever since I was a little kid watching my dad’s highlights, it’s always just been a dream for my family to stay at home, and it’s just a surreal moment. To get drafted by the Hunter’s [Mark and head coach Dale] is obviously unreal, and it’s just going to be a great experience to kick off my pro career.”

Beaulieu said his dad helped him learn the hard work necessary to play at the OHL level and his current 16U AAA coach Danny Syvret, also a former Knight and teammate of Josh, guided him.

“You are going to get a two-way offensive defenseman who has high energy, can lay the body, gets in the rush. I’m very coachable and a great teammate.”

Eight picks earlier, the Saginaw Spirit selected Beaulieu’s teammate Drew Bate from Union, Ont., south of St. Thomas.

“It feels awesome, I love Saginaw, it’s a great place and so grateful to get drafted there,” said Bate, the Alliance Player of the Year.

Bate had an impressive 72 points in 27 games.

“I think Saginaw fits my play style, it’s a good situation there and hopefully my game translates and I’ll be a successful player there.”

The Spirit were thrilled he was still available at pick six.

“When pick five came in and Bate was still on the board, it was easy; put the pick in the computer, get the jersey, and get on stage,” said Spirit GM Dave Drinkill.

“He always produces. The important thing with him is that he expects himself to score. He puts it on his own shoulders to be the driver on the team and guys need that in order to be in our league.”

Natasha Spence Wins WBA International Middleweight Title

The champ is here!

Natasha “The Nightmare” Spence won a unanimous decision Friday night over American Maricela Cornejo at Yakama Legends Casino in Toppenish, WA to claim the WBA International Middleweight Championship.

The Londoner, who trains out of Boomerz Boxing Club, headlined a card put on by boxing legend Roy Jones Jr.

Spence (11-8-2) told CTV News prior to the bout that she went back to the drawing board after a pair of wins in 2025, including one over Cornejo, because she felt she was better than what she had shown in the ring.

That work paid off as she claimed the 160-pound crown.

London Majors move into second place in CBL with Friday victory

The London Majors used a three-run first inning to jump out to an early lead and held on to beat the Welland Jackfish 6-5 Friday at Labatt Park.

Majors shortstop Maikol Escotto hit his first home run of the season and catcher Eduardo De Oleo had three hits as London moved within a half-game of first place at 9-4

Starting pitcher Victor Payano (3-1) went six innings allowing four runs and Skylar Janisse earned his fourth save.

There is no time to celebrate the victory as London heads to Welland Saturday night for a rematch with first pitch at 6:05 p.m.

Sunday afternoon the Majors travel to Hamilton to round out the busy weekend with a 4:05 p.m. start against the Cardinals.