Phillies extend affiliation with Minor League Lakewood BlueClaws
The Philadelphia Phillies extended their player development contract with the Lakewood BlueClaws for another two seasons. feeds.bizjournals.com |
Alonso takes pole for Singapore GP
By 2010-09-25T15:24:18ZSINGAPORE (AP) -- Ferrari's Fernando Alonso has taken the pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix.... hosted.ap.org |
For first time, Donovan McNabb will see visitors' locker room in Philly
For someone who called Lincoln Financial Field home for seven of his 11 seasons with Philadelphia Eagles, Donovan McNabb will finally discover ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
Arizona Diamondbacks to give away season tickets to poor families
The Arizona Diamondbacks will give away season tickets to a dozen poor families next year, part of a program in place for the past three seasons. 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 |