BOXING

BOXING

The American Gerald McClellan has regained consciousness for the first time since suffering brain injuries in his world title fight with Nigel Benn on 25 February and is breathing by himself. McClellan has been taken off sedation and he was beginning to respond to stimuli, his neurosurgeon, John Sutcliffe, said. Sutcliffe added: "A complete recovery, when he would be exactly the same as he was before the injuries, is very unlikely. It is possible but very unlikely. But we hope he may be able to make a good functional recovery and be able to get back to a normal life."

Sacramento has been chosen as the venue for Lennox Lewis's final eliminator for the World Boxing Council heavyweight championship against the American Lionel Butler on 13 May.

Paul Weir defends his World Boxing Organisation light-flyweight title for the first time when he meets Renato Ric Magramo, of the Philippines, on 5 April Magnum Leisure Centre in Irvine, the Scot's home town.

The England amateur international Mike McKenzie, Birmingham's ABA super- heavyweight champion, is to turn professional with Frank Maloney's stable.

The first lightweight bout with a $1m (£625,000) guarantee for each fighter will be contested in Las Vegas on May 6 between the Americans Oscar De La Hoya, the WBO champion, and Rafael Ruelas the International Boxing Federation title-holder.