The Sport Matrix: Saturday 11 April 2015

Brook ‘unbeatable’ before Gavin bout

Kell Brook insists he feels “unbeatable” as he prepares for a second title defence when he is challenged by Frankie Gavin on 30 May.

The 28-year-old IBF welterweight champion defended his title against Jo Jo Dan in his hometown of Sheffield last month, but is now ready to step back into the ring to take on Gavin as a meeting with Amir Khan continues to prove elusive.

Dog halts Texas MotoGP practice

A stray dog halted first practice for tomorrow’s MotoGP race at the Circuit of the Americas yesterday after running on to the track in front of riders. The incident, on the day a spectator caused alarm by running across the main straight in Formula One practice at the Chinese GP, brought out the red flags for safety reasons. The session resumed after a 20-minute delay.

Ronaldo yellow card rescinded

Real Madrid’s appeal against a yellow card shown to forward Cristiano Ronaldo in Wednesday’s 2-0 La Liga win at Rayo Vallecano has been granted by the Spanish football federation, the club said yesterday. The federation’s decision means Ronaldo, the leading scorer in Spain’s top flight this season with 37 goals, can play in today’s game at home to Eibar.

Garcia can go toe to toe with anyone...

Danny Garcia, the WBC and WBA light-welterweight champion who knocked out Amir Khan three years ago, has revealed a secret to his unbeaten record: he has six toes. “That’s why I’m never off balance and I’ve never been down,” he said.

The Puerto Rican was asked by entertainment channel TMZ to reveal something embarrassing about himself. And rather than an affinity for Euro pop, a propensity to well up at soap operas or any other more familiar tales, he revealed a rare case of polydactylism.

What he did not mention as an embarrassing trait was his liking for a thick gold chain or two. He fights Lamont Peterson in Las Vegas tonight.

Evans falls short in Crucible challenge

Snooker’s top female player has failed in her attempt to become the first woman to reach the World Championship finals.

Reanne Evans lost 10-8 to the former world champion Ken Doherty in the first of three qualifying rounds.

The 29-year-old Evans, who has won the past 10 women’s world titles, had received an invitation to compete in the qualifiers.