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| Test row escalates as Pacquiao sues • Superfight in doubt again as Filipino sues for defamation• Legal action does not necessarily mean end of negotiationsManny Pacquiao's fight of the era with Floyd Mayweather Jr, originally set for Las Vegas on 13 March and now on life support again, has moved from the ring to the courtroom in a saga as intriguing as it has been farcical.If the two best boxers of the past few years ever get to resolve their differences with gloves, there will be no lack of animus on either side.Pacquiao is suing Mayweather, his father, Floyd Sr, and uncle, Roger, along with Mayweather Promotions LLC, as well as Mayweather's promoters, Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Schaefer, for defamation. He alleges in papers filed with the Nevada federal court on Wednesday that they have accused him of using performance-enhancing drugs.Schaefer says the legal action will not distract either side from negotiations that began smoothly and descended into bickering over the past 10 days. "I'm hearing these talks are being productive," he said. "Hopefully we will know something in the next couple of days." But Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, told the Los Angeles Times: "It might be best to visit this fight later in 2010."Mayweather has said, to universal disbelief, that he would come to the UK to fight Ricky Hatton's brother, Matthew, if he were left without a fight on 13 March. That as Poirot might have said, is the herring that is most red. More credible is Pacquiao's alternative, a move up to fight the new world light-middleweight champion Yuri Foreman on the original date at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, or a week later at the nearby Thomas & Mack Center. Victory would give Pacquiao a record eighth title at different weights.It is this very feat that led Floyd Mayweather Sr to voice doubts about the legality of Pacquiao's training methods. When other members of Team Mayweather picked up on the theme, Pacquiao grew increasingly annoyed. When Mayweather demanded before Christmas that Pacquiao take Olympic-standard random blood tests in the month before their fight, the little Filipino lost patience and sued.His legal team say the defendants made statements about their client which they knew to be false and made them out of "ill-will, spite, malice, revenge and envy". Pacquiao is claiming more than $75,000, plus punitive damages.Schaefer said he's "never accused Pacquiao of doing something illegal".Manny PacquiaoFloyd MayweatherBoxingKevin Mitchellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
South Africa bowlers finally find rich seam of form The scoring rate was slow at times, but it was a day that was dull only to those with dull minds. feeds.timesonline.co.uk |
Crusaders swoop for Thackray • Thackray joins former team-made Tommy Lee in Wales• Prop won three caps under new Crusaders coachesCrusaders have made the former Great Britain international Jamie Thackray their highest-profile signing so far for 2010. The 30-year-old prop was released by Hull – for the second time – at the end of last season and joins his former club-mate Tommy Lee at the Racecourse Ground.Thackray, who won three Great Britain caps under Crusaders' new coaches Brian Noble and Jon Sharp in 2005, rejoined Hull from Leeds two years ago and is set to make his debut for the Wrexham club against the Rhinos on 29 January."I'm very much looking forward to it, especially as the first game is against my old club Leeds Rhinos," said Thackray, who has also played in Super League for Castleford and Halifax. "What better way is there to start?"I'm delighted to have signed for the Crusaders. I've played under Brian and Jon for Great Britain but I'm looking forward to working for Iestyn [Harris] for the first time. Everyone speaks highly of this new coaching team at the Crusaders and I can't wait to get started."The acquisition of Thackray and the New Zealand threequarter Vince Mellars takes the Crusaders' signings to seven. Mellars, a 25-year-old Wellington-born winger or centre had a season in rugby union with Canterbury-based Super 14 side Crusaders in 2008 but is essentially a rugby league player.He made his debut for New Zealand Warriors at the age of 19 and also played in the NRL for Cronulla and Sydney Roosters but spent last season with the Warriors' feeder team Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup. Mellars is due to link up with the club next week.He is the Crusaders' fifth overseas recruit, following the acquisition of Nick Youngquest, Michael Witt, Tony Martin and Frank Winterstein, while the club are also linked with Parramatta's Weller ÂHauraki and the Wests Tigers duo Rocky Trimarchi and Rhys Hanbury.Super LeagueRugby leagueThe Crusadersguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Roger Federer overcomes early wobble to progress in Australian Open • Federer unsettled by shot-making Russian Igor Andreev• World No1 admits he was 'lucky' to take third setThe world No1 Roger Federer survived an uncharacteristically sloppy display to edge past a battling Igor Andreev in four sets as he began his quest for a fourth Australian Open title.The Swiss player recovered from losing the opening set and, while not completely convincing, wrapped up the match 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-2), 6-0 in two hours and 44 minutes.It was the first time in Federer's past 25 first-round grand slam matches that he had been taken past three sets.That was testament to some big shot-making from Andreev, the world No37, whose aggressive style forced the top seed into some unlikely unforced errors.After a closely-fought battle the turning point of the match came at the end of the third set when Andreev failed to take three set points on his serve, before losing the tie-break.The Russian, who had taken Federer to five sets in their previous meeting at the 2008 US Open, then meekly conceded the fourth set and the match in quick time."It was a tough third set, I definitely got lucky to get out of that one," Federer said afterwards. "It was a fortunate third set but that's the way it goes sometimes. I prefer easier matches, but this worked."Federer uncharacteristically conceded the first set after having claimed the opening break. He then immediately handed the advantage back following some loose shot making, before Andreev gave himself a chance to serve for the set when he fired back-to-back winners.The 26-year-old made no mistake to take the opener in 41 minutes on the back of 10 winners.Federer had looked lethargic in the face of Andreev's free swinging, but recovered at the start of the second set to race into a 3-0 lead. The world number one did not let his advantage slip this time and with his usual focus returning the momentum was shifting his way.Andreev, however, continued his shot-making and his enterprise again unsettled Federer in a pulsating third set. After trading early breaks of serve the pair both failed to serve out for the set.Andreev had his chance at 6-5, but passed up three set points as it went to a tie-break, where the Russian was made to pay for his earlier profligacy.After Andreev won the opening point of the tie-break Federer reeled off the next five and put his serving woes behind him to sew it up with an ace that Andreev could only fend off on set point.That capitulation was the beginning of the end for Andreev, who for the first time looked tired as he was immediately broken in the opening game and failed to trouble the scoreboard in the fourth.Roger FedererAustralian OpenTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
A beast on D-line, Warren Sapp became NFL legend in the '00s It was his former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach, Tony Dungy, who steered Warren Sapp on the road to greatness when he made him the prototype, ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |