| Khan agrees deal to fight Maidana • WBA light-welterweight champion says fight has been agreed• Mandalay Bay hotel likely venue on 11 DecemberAmir Khan claims he has agreed terms to defend his WBA light-welterweight title against the dangerous Argentinian Marcos Maidana on 11 December.The California-based Bolton fighter has not fought since beating the American Paulie Malignaggi in New York in May.Maidana, his mandatory challenger, had been among a shortlist of possible opponents and is regarded as a particularly dangerous proposition having racked up a record of 29 wins and one defeat with 27 knockouts.Khan had claimed Maidana was pricing himself out of the fight but said on Twitter the deal had been done."All the legality work for the next fight has been done," he said. "The fight has been signed by both parties."The 2004 Olympic silver medalist said no venue has been confirmed yet, but the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas seems almost certain to host the fight. Khan had wanted to bring the fight to England but apparently made the concession to get the contest signed.The pay-per-view giants HBO will televise in America with the fight on Sky in Britain.Amir KhanBoxingguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Ravi Bopara to join Kevin Pietersen for domestic games in South Africa • Bopara and Pietersen both due to play two first-class matches• England return from "tough but rewarding" development campRavi Bopara has signed to play for the South African franchise the KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins. He will join Kevin Pietersen, who agreed earlier this month, to play two first-class matches for the Dolphins to gain match practice before the Ashes.Bopara has signed up to play in two first-class matches, as well as South Africa's domestic limited-overs series which runs from 29 October to 10 December.The right-handed batsman was left out of England's squad for the Ashes tour but will hope to feature in the limited-overs matches against Australia after playing in the recent series against Pakistan."We were looking for an experienced player who could add value to the team," the chief executive of KZN cricket, Jesse Chellan, said. "Ravi was keen to play in South Africa and we knew he would want to prepare well ahead of the limited-overs leg of England's tour to Australia."Meanwhile, the England players and management have returned from a five-day development camp in southern Germany. The captain, Andrew Strauss, said: "This was an opportunity for the players to spend time away, learn more about the wider world and develop ourselves both individually and collectively. It was a tough but rewarding five days and I know every player has gained greater insight into themselves."Cricketguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
49ers still searching for a win after Falcons' improbable comeback Thanks to Nate Clements' gaffe and the effort by White reminiscent of Don Beebe's classic Super Bowl strip of Leon Lett the Falcons had a second ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
James returns to Heat practice By 2010-10-16T17:42:15ZMIAMI (AP) -- LeBron James returned to practice with the Miami Heat on Saturday, reporting no problems with his ailing right hamstring.... hosted.ap.org |
Another blow for Wales as Jonathan Davies suffers ankle injury • More problems for coach Warren Gatland • Wales preparing for autumn Test series openerInjury-hit Wales have suffered another potential setback ahead of next week's autumn Test series opener against Australia in Cardiff.Warren Gatland has already lost the British and Irish Lions trio Lee Byrne, Leigh Halfpenny and Ryan Jones from the match on 6 November, and they could now be joined by the in-form Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies.Davies, widely expected to fill one of the centre positions against Australia, suffered an ankle injury during training today at the Wales squad's base in the Vale of Glamorgan.There was no immediate news on the extent of his injury, but it could possibly be a recurrence of the ankle problem he sustained last month.If Davies is ruled out – and his prospective midfield partner James Hook is moved to full-back as replacement for broken hand victim Byrne – then a new-look centre pairing of Andrew Bishop and Tom Shanklin could feature."Jon [Davies] has gone down with an injury in training," Gatland said. "It limits our midfield options a little bit. But you can't dwell on it – you have got to put it behind you."The Wales coach can only hope for good news on the Scarlets prospect, whose displays for his region in the early part of this season earned rave reviews.Byrne, meanwhile, is set to miss the first three November games, against Australia, South Africa and Fiji, and earlier this week was given only an outside chance of being fit to face New Zealand in the autumn finale.The back-row forward Jones will be reassessed following the match after being ruled out with a torn calf muscle, but the wing Halfpenny has already left the squad and been replaced by the Dragons' Aled Brew.Wales rugby union teamRugby unionguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |