Boxing: No favours for poor Espana

Crisanto Espana, the Belfast-based Venezuelan, lost his World Boxing Association welterweight title when he was knocked out by the Ghanaian Ike Quartey in the 11th round of a scheduled 12-rounder at Levallois-Perret, France. Previously unbeaten Espana, who had held the title since October 1992, was cut on the cheek in the fourth round and knocked down in the fifth. The cut re-opened in the ninth and Quartey finished him off after landing a right uppercut. The former world heavyweight champion, Riddick Bowe, has injured his back and has pulled out of Saturday's fight with Buster Mathis Jnr.