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Boxing: Victories don't come bigger than this

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

On one of the most extraordinary nights in sporting history, Britain's David Haye beat a Russian Goliath seven stone heavier and almost a foot taller than him to win the heavyweight championship of the world.

Outside Edge (08/11/09)

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Josh Lewis was told he would never play sport after he suffered 45 per cent burns in an arson attack 10 years ago, but the 14-year-old from Stapenhill, Staffordshire, has just won the bronze medal for Under-17s at the World Karate Championships in Huelva, Spain. He took it up aged six after being bullied at school. If only he could inspire the pupils of Northfleet Technology College in Kent, who have been told they can play Nintendo Wii if they don't like PE classes. Parents are being accused of restricting children's outdoor activities by buying designer clothing which is too expensive to ruin. But like, it's not like they don't like sport. One in 20 kids think Hitler was a German football coach.

Sport on TV: Sinking feeling means Perham can't let it all wash over him

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Honestly, kids will do anything to get on telly these days. But to be fair, sailing solo around the world at the age of 16 is a more formidable test of talent than having a ludicrous quiff and a twin. Mike Perham, from that great yachting stronghold of Potters Bar, was desperate to become the youngest ever to perform a circumnavigation – and not just of the M25. At 16, it was already impressive that he even knew what it meant.

Sly Fox nails down final spot for steely England

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

England will contest the final of the Four Nations with Australia at Elland Road next Saturday after a victory over the Kiwis that did much to banish the bad taste from last year's World Cup. Two tries before half-time from the Hull KR winger Peter Fox, in his first game of the tournament, were crucial, but it took a mighty effort from the pack to beat the world champions in what was otherwise a forward-orientated match – and none the less compelling for that.

No soft centre to British racing's new golden girl

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

The new golden girl of British and European ocean racing abandons her partner and her cats and leaves her adopted French shores with another Frenchman today. With the departure of Dame Ellen MacArthur from the scene which catapulted her to fame, Sam Davies seems set to inherit the mantle of international fame. She is the complete package: bright, attractive, articulate and friendly. And she can sail.

Inside Lines: Hatton wants another Juan in test before Khan showdown

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Six months after being left wide-eyed and legless by Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton is getting itchy fists again. We hear the Hitman is poised to announce a New Year comeback against Juan Manuel Marquez, the 36-year-old Mexican last seen losing to another Hatton nemesis, Floyd Mayweather Jnr. Although he still declines to confirm his intentions, the word in boxing is that his desire not to go out a loser has been rekindled by the build-up to last night's Valuev-Haye scrap. He acknowledges he misses the big-fight atmosphere and insists there would be no problem getting back into shape at "Hatton House", the new £2 million fight HQ he has built near his Manchester home. "Sometimes when you've been doing this game for so long, you need to recharge your batteries and then you can come back with a bit more fire in your belly," he says. "There are things I know I can put right, and if I give it another go it will not be an eight-rounder after beating some of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. It's got to be a fight that will get me excited." Marquez has already been earmarked as a trial horse for a hoped-for meeting next summer with Amir Khan which Hatton, 31, insists he must promote himself. "That would not be negotiable, otherwise it's a non-starter." Hatton's novice promotional expertise will be tested on Friday when he stages his first "world title" fight, featuring his welterweight brother Matthew, who meets South Africa's Lovemore Ndou for the little-regarded IBO belt – which Ricky himself once held – in Stoke. The following night will bring back painful memories when he watches the Filipino Pacquiao attempt a similar demolition job in Las Vegas on the more resilient Miguel Cotto in a classic tear-up.

Boxing: After all the big talk, it's time for Haye to step up

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

David Haye wants everybody to believe that size doesn't matter, that power is the real factor in heavyweight title fights and that at about midnight tonight he will be the new World Boxing Association champion.

Stan Hey: 6-5 Against

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

If you like watching big men bash each other around, then today should be to your taste. The David Haye-Nikolai Valuev WBA heavyweight title fight sees the 15st Brit face the seven-foot tall, 23st Russian, who looks like a Bond villain. If Haye gets clocked by Valuev's giant mitts it could be embarrassing. But a convincing display of punching and movement will enhance Haye's credentials. A small bet, £5 Haye to win in round five, 33-1 Boylesports, will do.

Smith puts faith in Bridge for tough Kiwi test

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

It is time for the unlikely lads to come to the aid of the party at Huddersfield this evening. If England are to beat New Zealand and progress into the final of the Four Nations next weekend, they need special performances from players who, at different stages, seemed unlikely to be involved in this sort of occasion.

Mike Tyson's weird week on tour in Britain

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

I had the dubious pleasure four years ago of being hired to "work the room" with Mike Tyson on his first British after-dinner speaking tour. The crowds were big, but I was told: "No boxing questions. Don't ask his opinion on all those indiscretions both sides of the ropes." I wasn't even allowed to probe for answers to his very real boxing genius, and instead was restricted to asking him questions about Birmingham tumblers (it's a type of pigeon) and Wayne Rooney.

Sailors predict flat out race to Costa Rica in the Transat Jacques Vabre

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:43:39 GMT

The wind whipping up the Channel and into the harbour of Le Havre today served notice to the 20 yachts in the Bassin Paul Vatine that, come Sunday when they set off on the 5,000-mile Transat Jacques Vabre to Costa Rica, that the price of a sunny South American finish will be an opening autumnal slap in the face.

America's Cup could be held in Queensland

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:59:29 GMT

America's Cup holder Alinghi is offering to race rival BMW Oracle Racing off Australia next February.

South Africa suspends officials over Semenya

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

South Africa's Olympic body, SASCOC, has suspended the president, board and members of Athletics South Africa over the handling of 800 metres world champion Caster Semenya's gender tests.

Boxing: Haye promises to be Valuev's best prepared opponent

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

David Haye has insisted that he will not add his name to the long list of heavyweight challengers from the past five years who have lost and then claimed that they had no idea the champion was so tall.

Smith takes the axe to England's backs

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Tony Smith, the England coach, has sacked his entire right-side defence and brought in Chris Bridge and Peter Fox for tomorrow's must-win Four Nations game with New Zealand in Huddersfield.

Baseball: International cast of stars fire Yankees back to top of world

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

For once it truly was a World Series. The final out was secured by a closing pitcher from Panama with eyes of ice and not a nerve in his body. The victors' greatest hero though was a Japanese citizen, whose feats on baseball's greatest stage this last week saw him named Most Valuable Player – the first time that World Series honour has gone to a member of that baseball sub-species, the designated hitter.

Alinghi offer new America's Cup venue

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:16:29 GMT

In a move designed to both break the deadlock over where to stage the next America's Cup and, co-incidentally, lob a grenade into the negotiating position of the Californian challenger BMW Oracle, the Swiss defender Alinghi today offered to abandon plans to stage the regatta in the Middle East and, instead, move it to the eastern seaboard of Australia.

South Africa make Semenya apology

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:38:26 GMT

Caster Semenya has received an unconditional apology from Athletics South Africa for their role in the row over the athlete's gender.

Baseball: Japan hails MVP 'Godzilla'

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:23:03 GMT

"Godzilla" hit the headlines across Japan today, but the news was all about baseballs, not buildings, being crushed after New York Yankees slugger Hideki Matsui was crowned the World Series' Most Valuable Player.

Yankees hail World Series success

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:40:33 GMT

Hideki Matsui called it "the best moment of my life" and Alex Rodriguez savoured a joyous end to a year which began badly for him as the New York Yankees won the World Series.

Boxing: How a freak fought back

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Nobody denies that from the moment Nikolai Valuev turned professional he was promoted as a freak, another sideshow attraction in the world of boxing, and it was thought that his limited talent would never let him escape the various nicknames he would go on to acquire – the Russian Giant, the Russian Bear, and latterly the Beast from the East.

Sport in brief: Leeds' Kiwi forward Eastwood out of Four Nations

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Rugby League: Greg Eastwood, Leeds' recruit from New Zealand, is out of the Four Nations with a broken wrist. The Kiwi forward fractured his scaphoid in Saturday's win over France. He will return to the southern hemisphere after the tournament and is expected to be back for pre-season training at Leeds. England name their team today, and must decide whether Danny McGuire retains the stand-off jersey. Dave Hadfield

Dave Hadfield: The future of Gateshead is a tough one

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:44:57 GMT

Baseball: 'Old goats' Pettitte and Martinez set for Game Six duel

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:07:19 GMT

Longtime adversaries Andy Pettitte and Pedro Martinez will turn back the clock for a World Series pitching duel in today's Game Six between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies.

Saints fear Wolves raid for rising star Eastmond

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:01 GMT

St Helens are concerned that they might lose their latest international, Kyle Eastmond, to their neighbours, Warrington. Eastmond, who was outstanding coming off the bench to play at centre against Australia on Saturday, is looking for a big improvement on the terms of his current contract.