Brook rejected Bradley title fight September 25, 2012 BOXING: British welterweight Kell Brook has revealed he rejected a chance to fight WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley to pursue becoming mandatory challenger for the IBF crown. He said: “The Bradley fight was put in front of me but I believe the mandatory position in the IBF is the right move. [Promoter] Eddie [Hearn] has [...]
Watson edged out by Sharapova September 25, 2012 TENNIS: Britain’s Heather Watson was yesterday knocked out of the Pan Pacific Open, in Japan, by world No2 Maria Sharapova. “It was a tough three-setter, very physical, but I went out there to win and I gave it everything I had,” said Watson of her 6-7 (7-9), 6-3, 6-4 loss. Spain’s Rafael Nadal, meanwhile, has [...]
Hodgson: Terry’s retirement is a big blow to my England plans September 25, 2012 ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson has admitted the loss of John Terry to international retirement is a significant disappointment. The central defender and former England captain on Sunday announced the immediate end of his international career and blamed the Football Association’s disciplinary hearing into his role in the Anton Ferdinand race row, which began yesterday, for [...]
Winger Walcott wishes to start up front to stay September 25, 2012 ARSENAL forward Theo Walcott is adamant that the possibility of being selected to start as a striker will be a significant influence when he makes his decision about whether or not to stay at the club. The 23-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season and manager Arsene Wenger has already conceded it will [...]
I believe JT has jumped before he could be pushed September 25, 2012 JOHN Terry’s decision to retire from international duty does, I suspect, actually have something to do with his age. If he was 26, I don’t think he’d bother. He’s had all the trauma from the summer’s court case and I think he’s retired because he believes the FA will find him guilty in their own [...]
Monty wants McIlroy kept well away from the Tiger September 25, 2012 FORMER Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie believes it is important Europe’s Rory McIlroy avoids America’s Tiger Woods in the Ryder Cup singles on Sunday. Montgomerie was the captain when Europe won at Celtic Manor two years ago and despite understandable public interest in seeing the tournament’s two greatest talents directly compete, believes it to be [...]
Westwood: US Cup fans want to spook us September 25, 2012 ENGLAND’S Lee Westwood is anticipating a hostile American atmosphere when Europe’s Ryder Cup team this week challenges for supremacy. The former world No1 was four years ago critical of the Louisville crowd when while he competed for Europe an individual dressed as a ghost jumped in front of him and shouted “Boo”, and he expects [...]
FA to nominate Wembley Stadium for European Championship final September 25, 2012 THE Football Association is to nominate Wembley Stadium to host the final of the 2020 European Championships to European football’s governing body Uefa. Michel Platini, the Uefa president, is considering a change in format which would mean the tournament is played across several European cities instead of the traditional one or two host countries. Wembley’s [...]
Di Matteo sees no danger and predicts that Cole is set to stay September 25, 2012 CHELSEA manager Roberto Di Matteo has admitted to being “very optimistic” about the prospect of defender Ashley Cole signing a new contract to commit to the club. The England left-back’s present deal has only 10 months remaining and he has been linked with a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain under former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti. From [...]
Kelly ruled out for six months September 25, 2012 ■ FOOTBALL: Liverpool defender Martin Kelly will be unavailable for six months, and requires surgery, after suffering a knee injury in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.