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| Eric Granger returns to Memphis, tapped as Grizzlies vice president of arena operations Eric Granger has been named vice president of arena operations for the Memphis Grizzlies. Granger replaces Steve Zito, who left the team earlier this summer after five years. feeds.bizjournals.com |
YinzCam hopes app spreads throughout pro sports, including NFL, NHL Pretty soon, more Americans will know what Yinz are talking about. feeds.bizjournals.com |
The long shots: Road to the NFL is harder for some Who's the biggest long-shot in the NFL? USA TODAY looks at players who overcame long odds to make NFL rosters. rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
Arizona Cardinals sell out Saints game The San Diego Chargers may have throttled the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday, but the Cards proved today they can do something the Chargers can’t — sell out their home stadium. feeds.bizjournals.com |
Leicester binman gets world title shot • Munroe takes unpaid leave to fight in Japan• Super-bantamweight will go back to day job win or loseShortly before lunchtime tomorrow Rendall Munroe will enter Tokyo's Sumo Hall draped in a fluorescent binman's jacket before challenging for the WBC super-bantamweight championship of the world. But in a week's time, win or lose, he will return to his £250-a-week job as a refuse collector in Leicester."I'm just Rendall Munroe, ordinary guy," he says. "I love working with my mates, who have all come to Japan to watch me, and mingling with the public. When I'm on my round grannies give me tea and biscuits, and it also keeps me fit. Doing what I do has made me what I am – why would I change if I become world champion?"Other fighters have made similarly pious pronouncements before embracing the easy delights and late nights that accompany fame and money. But the 30-year-old Munroe insists: "I want to do things the right way. Money doesn't mean as much as winning the world title. I ain't got a clue what I'm getting for this fight because I don't ask. What my manager gives me is what he gives me."The other advantage to sticking with the day job is that while most boxers don't know what they want to do when they retire, I won't have that problem."Munroe, who has taken nine weeks' unpaid leave to prepare for the biggest fight of his life, says his conditioning is "perfect". It will need to be. His opponent, the 34-year-old Japanese fighter Toshiaki Nishioka, strikes fast, often and hard – and is unbeaten in six years. But Munroe remains unfazed. "He's a world champion, so he's got to be good. But I'm going to beat him. He tires in the later rounds and I'll be on top of him."Munroe's delivery is laconic, matter-of-fact. But in the ring his approach is anything but: he has won 21 of his 22 bouts, usually by swarming his opponents with high-energy, two-fisted attacks. "I've been in Japan for the best part of two weeks and everything is spot on," says Munroe. "I brought my steamer with me to replicate my diet at home, and we made sure our hotel was near a butcher's and veg shop. I was at the [8st 10lb] weight on Monday."What about the incessant boredom? The waiting? The worrying? "Nah, it's fine. I've generally gone for a little run in the morning, chilled during the day, and then done another workout in the evening. I've watched a few things on my laptop, like EastEnders, Coronation Street, but I've spent most of my days walking around. I don't want to be cooped in my room. And the Japanese have been lovely. The butcher even came out with his camera to take pictures."Does he fear a home-town decision if it goes the distance? "No. I'm not worried about fighting in a foreign country. It's just another experience in life – and I've got to have a free holiday in Japan." Would he really call being stalked and bashed by a fighter with the nickname 'Monster Left' a free holiday? "Yeah," he chuckles. "This is an experience of a lifetime." And if he wins, it may be only just the beginning.BoxingSean Ingleguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |