BILLY HARDY TO STEP IN AS LATE REPLACEMENT

BOXING

Billy Hardy, Sunderland's Commonwealth featherweight champion, has agreed to step in as a late replacement in a non-title fight against France's former European champion, Fabrice Benichou, in Saint Quentin, France tomorrow.

Evander Holyfield, the former world heavyweight champion, who retired last year after a heart condition was diagnosed, is planning to return to the ring against Ray Mercer in Atlantic City on 20 May .