http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/?service=Rss http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/inside-lines-hatton-wants-another-juan-in-test-before-khan-showdown-1816929.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/inside-lines-hatton-wants-another-juan-in-test-before-khan-showdown-1816929.html <p>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.</p> Others Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/outside-edge-081109-1816947.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/outside-edge-081109-1816947.html <p>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.</p> Others Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/sport-on-tv-sinking-feeling-means-perham-cant-let-it-all-wash-over-him-1816951.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/sport-on-tv-sinking-feeling-means-perham-cant-let-it-all-wash-over-him-1816951.html <p>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.</p> TV & Radio Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/mike-tysons-weird-week-on-tour-in-britain-1816576.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/mike-tysons-weird-week-on-tour-in-britain-1816576.html ]]> <p>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.</p> Others Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-after-all-the-big-talk-its-time-for-haye-to-step-up-1816623.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-after-all-the-big-talk-its-time-for-haye-to-step-up-1816623.html ]]> <p>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.</p> Others Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/stan-hey-65-against-1816626.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/stan-hey-65-against-1816626.html <p>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.</p> Others Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/baseball-international-cast-of-stars-fire-yankees-back-to-top-of-world-1815569.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/baseball-international-cast-of-stars-fire-yankees-back-to-top-of-world-1815569.html ]]> <p>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.</p> Others Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-haye-promises-to-be-valuevs-best-prepared-opponent-1815573.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-haye-promises-to-be-valuevs-best-prepared-opponent-1815573.html ]]> <p>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. </p> Others Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/baseball-japan-hails-mvp-godzilla-1815207.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/baseball-japan-hails-mvp-godzilla-1815207.html ]]> <p> "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. </p> Others Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:23:03 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/yankees-hail-world-series-success-1815134.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/yankees-hail-world-series-success-1815134.html ]]> <p> 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. </p> Others Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:40:33 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sport-in-brief-leeds-kiwi-forward-eastwood-out-of-four-nations-1814736.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sport-in-brief-leeds-kiwi-forward-eastwood-out-of-four-nations-1814736.html <p>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</p> Others Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-how-a-freak-fought-back-1814737.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-how-a-freak-fought-back-1814737.html ]]> <p>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.</p> Others Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/baseball-old-goats-pettitte-and-martinez-set-for-game-six-duel-1814496.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/baseball-old-goats-pettitte-and-martinez-set-for-game-six-duel-1814496.html ]]> <p> 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. </p> Others Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:07:19 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/baseball-utleys-heroics-keep-phillies-hopes-alive-1813885.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/baseball-utleys-heroics-keep-phillies-hopes-alive-1813885.html ]]> <p> Chase Utley hit two home runs to raise his baseball world series total to a record-tying five as Philadelphia beat the New York Yankees 8-6 today to set up a game six for the first time since 2003. </p> Others Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:19:19 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/cycling-women-lead-the-way-as-britain-raises-the-gold-standard-1813238.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/cycling-women-lead-the-way-as-britain-raises-the-gold-standard-1813238.html ]]> <p>Britain's dominance of track cycling continued when the women's pursuit team set a world record and the men's quartet posted the second-fastest time ever in the Manchester round of the World Cup.</p> Others Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-faster-higher-longer-total-olympics-1813244.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/dom-joly/dom-joly-faster-higher-longer-total-olympics-1813244.html ]]> <p>It just goes to show that you should never judge a book by the cover. There was I thinking that Andre Agassi was an uberdull, born-again Christian tennis player and that his book would be the very same. Then I find out that he's of Iranian/Assyrian (whatever that might be) descent, gives large donations to the Democratic Party and that his middle name is Kirk... this changed everything. </p> Dom Joly Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-strictly-ballroom-can-topple-the-bogeyman-1812851.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-strictly-ballroom-can-topple-the-bogeyman-1812851.html ]]> <p>Like an army drill sergeant, though in rather more mellifluous tones, a tracksuited Lennox Lewis was instructing 35 City businessmen, all wannabe "white collar" boxers, how to jab and move in an establishment called the Real Fight Club close to London's Liverpool Street. At the same time, a couple of miles south of the river, in a Vauxhall gym under a railway arch, David Haye was putting the finishing touches to his own preparations before leaving for Germany, where he really does have a fight on his hands against boxing's bogeyman, the gargantuan Russian Nikolay Valuev.</p> Others Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/inside-lines-all-systems-coe-as-countdown-quickens-to-2012-ndash-and-2018-1812852.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/inside-lines-all-systems-coe-as-countdown-quickens-to-2012-ndash-and-2018-1812852.html <p>There are 999 days to the start of the London Olympics and 397 to the moment when we will know whether the 2018 football World Cup is to be played in England. Which means that Baron Coe of Ranmore is going to be an exceptionally busy man. The fact that, despite its detractors and the recession, London 2012 arguably is further ahead of schedule than any post-war Olympic city is a tribute to Coe and his team. Now, as the countdown quickens, he will have even more on his packed agenda, as it seems likely the World Cup bid could be looking to him to provide the same persuasive oratory to sway Fifa that he used to convince the International Olympic Committee. With FA chairman Lord Triesman recognising that personality will be a key factor to delivering on the day, and with the ideally-suited Gary Lineker ruling himself out as any sort of figurehead as he is "not a political animal", Coe, who is already well connected within Fifa, seems an obvious candidate to be pressed into service on 2 December next year. Of course, his first priority will always be 2012, but football fan Coe is famously efficient at utilising his time and would hardly turn down the opportunity to strike up front for England. A 2018 bid spokesman says it is too early to say who will be involved on the platform, "but it will be a selection designed to get across all the strengths of the 2018 bid. Lord Coe's role as a board member means he is and will continue to have a key role in the campaign". Suggest you get working on that speech, Seb.</p> Others Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/outside-edge-011109-1812854.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/outside-edge-011109-1812854.html <p>World Series fever has hit Philadelphia, where Phillies fan Susan Finkelstein has been charged with offering sex in exchange for tickets to the ball game against the New York Yankees. The married mother of two, 43, was picked up by an undercover cop who responded to her internet advert: "Gorgeous tall buxom blonde – in desperate need of two World Series tickets. Price negotiable – I'm the creative type." The officer said he and his brother had tickets, and she told him she wanted both, rather charmingly because she wanted to take her husband. "I could take care of both of you," she is alleged to have said. She has since received offers from a radio DJ and a car dealer – of tickets, that is.</p> Others Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/sport-on-tv-patriot-fervour-lacking-as-little-britain-lacks-spirit-of-nelson-1812859.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/sport-on-tv-patriot-fervour-lacking-as-little-britain-lacks-spirit-of-nelson-1812859.html <p>When the giants of American sport come to town, you might think the British broadcasters would go to town too. But the BBC's highlights package of the American Football game between the Patriots and the Buccaneers (BBC2, Sunday) featured the perennially under- whelming Jake Humphreys and Mike Carlson, poached off Five, who once played college football at some place called Wesleyan University.</p> TV & Radio Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/cycling-houvenaghel-strikes-gold-for-fivestar-gb-1812857.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/cycling-houvenaghel-strikes-gold-for-fivestar-gb-1812857.html <p>Wendy Houvenaghel won Great Britain's fifth gold from eight events at the Track World Cup at the Manchester Velodrome last night.</p> Others Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sport-in-brief-kim-hits-cracking-three-wood-to-set-up-allenby-semifinal-1812163.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sport-in-brief-kim-hits-cracking-three-wood-to-set-up-allenby-semifinal-1812163.html <p></p> <p> Golf: Anthony Kim advanced to the semi-finals of the World Match Play Championship against Robert Allenby, despite losing to Scott Strange by three holes yesterday. </p> Others Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/yankees-win-31-to-tie-world-series-1811847.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/yankees-win-31-to-tie-world-series-1811847.html <p> Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui hit solo homers off familiar foe Pedro Martinez to give the New York Yankees a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies and tie the World Series at 1-1 last night. </p> Others Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:01:03 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/david-haye-im-not-looking-forward-to-all-that-matted-body-hair-and-sweat-1811533.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/david-haye-im-not-looking-forward-to-all-that-matted-body-hair-and-sweat-1811533.html ]]> <p>David Haye has wanted to become world heavyweight boxing champion since he was seven years old, living in an 18th-floor council flat in Bermondsey, south-east London. A week tomorrow in Nuremberg, south-east Germany, he finally gets a shot at a version of the title. Standing squarely between the 29-year-old and the realisation of his long-cherished ambition, however, will be the WBA champion, Russian giant Nikolai Valuev, 7ft 2in and 23st of solid, hairy and, according to Haye, not particularly sweet-smelling flesh.</p> Profiles Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/baseball-lees-wizardry-gives-phillies-the-ideal-start-1811535.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/baseball-lees-wizardry-gives-phillies-the-ideal-start-1811535.html ]]> <p>The first World Series game played at the new Yankee Stadium was turned into a sombre affair by Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee. The left-hander gave the crowd of 50,207 little to cheer about while leading the 2008 World Series champions to a 6-1 victory over the New York Yankees in the first game of the 2009 Fall Classic on Wednesday. </p> Others Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/equestrianism-whitaker-to-miss-doha-finale-after-ankle-injury-1810952.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/equestrianism-whitaker-to-miss-doha-finale-after-ankle-injury-1810952.html <p>British showjumping star John Whitaker will be sidelined for several weeks after breaking his ankle in a fall. Whitaker, 54, was hurt during a show in Holland, falling from his 12-year-old stallion Peppermill. He underwent surgery on two fractured bones. </p> Others Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/swimming-phelps-confirmed-for-duel-in-manchester-1810953.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/swimming-phelps-confirmed-for-duel-in-manchester-1810953.html ]]> <p>Michael Phelps will lead the US team for the "Duel in the Pool" against a squad of European swimmers after USA Swimming announced a 36-person team on Wednesday. </p> Others Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-most-embarrassing-defeats-in-sport-1810906.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-most-embarrassing-defeats-in-sport-1810906.html ]]> <p> Real Madrid were stunned by third-tier minnows Alcorcon last night in what must be regarded as one of the most embarrassing defeats in sport. </p> News & Comment Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:33:57 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/baseball-big-hits-are-guaranteed-in-battle-of-the-sluggers-1810388.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/baseball-big-hits-are-guaranteed-in-battle-of-the-sluggers-1810388.html ]]> <p>Call it what you will: "the Amtrak Series", or the "I-95 Series", after the train and interstate highway which link the two mid-Atlantic metropolises. Either way, the battle that starts tonight in the Bronx between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies should be the most compelling World Series in a decade. And, baseball's high command would add, about time too.</p> Others Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/baseball-umpire-errors-show-technologys-time-has-come-1810389.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/baseball-umpire-errors-show-technologys-time-has-come-1810389.html ]]> <p>In this World Series, all eyes will be on the four men in blue who run it. A run of glaringly bad calls by umpires during the 2009 play-offs could see Major League Baseball finally joining cricket, tennis and many other sports and allowing instant replays of contested decisions.</p> Others Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/american-football-gridiron-greats-turn-up-heat-at-wembley-1809466.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/american-football-gridiron-greats-turn-up-heat-at-wembley-1809466.html ]]> <p>The New England Patriots thrilled their British fans with a dominant victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third NFL regular-season game to be played at Wembley. </p> Others Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/inside-lines-could-giggs-or-horsepower-undo-button-for-beeb-prize-1809044.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/inside-lines-could-giggs-or-horsepower-undo-button-for-beeb-prize-1809044.html <p>According to the bookies Jenson Button is in pole position – a virtual shoo-in at 2-1 on – to become Sports Personality of the Year. Not so, hint some BBC insiders, who sense that for the second successive year a Formula One world champion won't get the chequered flag on 13 December. Put your money on a current outsider, they suggest: Ryan Giggs, who would be the first footballer to carry off the trophy since David Beckham in 2001. An escalating Facebook campaign, allied to an anticipated massive vote from Wales, and Manchester United's nationwide supporters, is pushing 35-year-old Giggsy into the frame, so watch for his 40-1 odds to be slashed. We also like the suggestion of reader Anthea Hawkins that Button should be undone by wonder horse Sea the Stars. Keep looking in that mirror, Jenson. There are a couple of thoroughbreds coming up fast on the rails.</p> Others Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-a-question-of-faith-ndash-but-not-of-the-religious-kind-1809046.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-a-question-of-faith-ndash-but-not-of-the-religious-kind-1809046.html ]]> <p>There seemed to be as many rabbis as reporters thronging the room when Amir Khan and Dmitry Salita faced each other at a London hotel, some six weeks before they are due to come to blows in Newcastle. The novelty of the occasion was not just that Salita is an orthodox Jew, a rarity in boxing these days, but that he is fighting a Muslim, a situation that in this country, as far as anyone could recall, is unique. Both had flown in from the United States – Khan from Los Angeles and Salita from Brooklyn, where he has lived since arriving as an 11-year-old from his native Ukraine.</p> Others Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/outside-edge-251009-1809047.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/outside-edge-251009-1809047.html <p>So Aussie Jessica Watson, 16, begins her attempt to break British 17-year-old Mike Perham's record as the youngest person to sail around the world solo. Well beat this, Sheila. Sail Chapman may have nothing to do with sailing but he has become the youngest to climb all 214 of "Wainwright's peaks" in the Lake District – aged five years and 22 days. He began at the age of two, and his brothers Eire, eight, and Evan, six, had achieved the feat a fortnight before. Sail appropriately finished on Sale Fell, his father David saying: "It's a joke really, it's only a grassy little hill." Surely a case of "competitive dad". Brother Coel, two, has just started his own attempt too. These lads are peaking far too early.</p> Others Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/cycling-hoy-makes-it-three-golds-again-with-keirin-charge-1809205.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/cycling-hoy-makes-it-three-golds-again-with-keirin-charge-1809205.html <p>Sir Chris Hoy roared to victory in the keirin on the fifth day of the National Track Cycling Championships here at the Manchester Velodrome last night.</p> Others Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/sport-on-tv-table-manners-lacking-as-piers-gorges-on-beckers-excesses-1809049.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/sport-on-tv-table-manners-lacking-as-piers-gorges-on-beckers-excesses-1809049.html <p>At the start of Life Stories (ITV1, Thursday), Piers Morgan asked his audience: "Is Boris Becker the bad boy we all think he is?" Considering the show was being repeated (from the previous Saturday) at the same time that Nick Griffin appeared on 'Question Time', perhaps it should have been the BNP leader being cast as a pantomime villain by the former tabloid editor. Then he added that Becker had been voted the nation's favourite German and viewers were suddenly glad that Griffin wasn't there to talk about his own favourite Germans.</p> TV & Radio Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/american-football-big-fines-and-video-nasty-fail-to-stop-the-spy-who-loved-ne-1809048.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/american-football-big-fines-and-video-nasty-fail-to-stop-the-spy-who-loved-ne-1809048.html ]]> <p>Fines of $750,000, exposure as a cheat and losing your team a precious first-round draft choice would be more than enough to earn most coaches a P45. But then Bill Belichick, whose New England Patriots face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley today, as the NFL visits London to play a regular-season game for the third successive year, is not most coaches.</p> Others Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/the-art-of-being-a-modern-manager-1808245.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/the-art-of-being-a-modern-manager-1808245.html ]]> <p> <u><b>Holmgren stays true to himself</b></u> </p> <p> <b>On becoming a coach:</b> "When I was growing up in San Francisco, I tried to participate in as many sports as I could and I found the people who cared about me most were my coaches. I admired them, and it was a natural entry point. I was very fortunate to be around and work with some of the finest coaches in the country; Bill Walsh, Lavelle Edwards and others." </p> Others Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/american-football-american-hero-who-is-pick-of-the-bunch-1808249.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/american-football-american-hero-who-is-pick-of-the-bunch-1808249.html ]]> <p>Last week Tom Brady threw five touchdowns, in a single quarter, in a snowstorm. Here truly is a global icon bearing a man-of-the-match award who the Wembley crowd should not be made to feel ashamed for cheering. </p> Others Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sport-in-brief-lee-excels-to-help-blues-win-25m-twenty20-crown-1808254.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sport-in-brief-lee-excels-to-help-blues-win-25m-twenty20-crown-1808254.html <p> New South Wales Blues stunned Trinidad & Tobago to win last night's Champions League Twenty20 final in Hyderabad by 41 runs. </p> Others Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/swimming-duel-in-the-pool-attracts-phelps-to-manchester-meet-1806707.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/swimming-duel-in-the-pool-attracts-phelps-to-manchester-meet-1806707.html ]]> <p>Michael Phelps, the most successful Olympian of all time, will compete in Britain for the first time in December in a Ryder Cup-style "Duel in the Pool" event pitting some of Europe's best swimmers, including Britain's Rebecca Adlington, against America. </p> Others Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/hurling-ireland-stunned-by-gay-star-1806872.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/hurling-ireland-stunned-by-gay-star-1806872.html ]]> <p>Donal Og Cusack, 32, is a solid gold star in the macho world of Irish hurling. Cork's goalkeeper for more than a decade, this son of a crane driver from the small town of Cloyne has rewritten the way the game is played, to the fury of many traditionalists.</p> Others Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-greatest-playboys-in-sport-1806016.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-greatest-playboys-in-sport-1806016.html ]]> <p> Newly crowned Formula One world champion Jenson Button has a reputation as something of a playboy. </p> News & Comment Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:51:21 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sport-in-brief-froch-overpowers-negative-dirrell-1805131.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sport-in-brief-froch-overpowers-negative-dirrell-1805131.html <p> <i>Boxing: </i>It was not the fight many expected but it was the fight Carl Froch prepared for and he retained his World Boxing Council super-middleweight title by a split decision against American Andre Dirrell in Nottingham on Saturday. </p> Others Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-froch-takes-tough-split-decision-over-dirrell-1804993.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-froch-takes-tough-split-decision-over-dirrell-1804993.html ]]> <p> Carl Froch retained his WBC title with a split-decision victory over Andre Dirrell in the second fight of the Super Six World Boxing Classic super middleweight tournament last night. </p> Others Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:38:40 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/inside-lines-russian-giant-threatens-to-ko-englands-big-bid-hope-1804830.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/inside-lines-russian-giant-threatens-to-ko-englands-big-bid-hope-1804830.html <p>A second Anglo-Russian David v Goliath battle beckons after Haye and Valuev have settled their sizeable differences next month. Enter the ring Lord David Triesman, who will need to topple another giant (albeit one of politics not pugilism), one Vladimir Putin, if England's beleaguered 2018 World Cup bid is to be successful. The former Russian president, now prime minister, is set to be the figurehead of his country's now confirmed bid to emerge as England's most serious rivals. Having a first World Cup in eastern Europe could be as appealing to Fifa as giving an Olympics debut to South America was to the IOC, and there is no doubt that judo black belt Putin will play as significant a role as he did when his brand of friendly persuasion helped Russia snatch the 2014 Winter Games for Sochi. England bid leader Triesman, resisting pressure to step down from the £100,000-a-year part-time seat he occupies as well as the FA chair, will need to up his, and England's, game with Putin putting himself about and Russia's sports minister, Vitaly Mutko, being close to the Fifa president Sepp Blatter, who admits to "a wholehearted affinity for the Russian bid" while the IOC president, Jacques Rogge, warns "never underestimate the capacity of the Russians". While the jibes of that noxious buffoon Jack Warner have provoked an overdue revamping of England's bid team, with Karren Brady brought in to add a little glam and gumption alongside Paul Elliott, a welcome personable black presence, some insiders feel the single-minded Triesman should sub himself and find a Seb Coe-like figure to strike up front. While David Beckham will be as invaluable in midfield as he was for London 2012, you can't imagine him giving the keynote address. But Gary Lineker's name is mentioned as one who has the lucidity, the media presence and the profile to put England's message across.</p> Others Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/sport-on-tv-its-alliss-in-wonderland-with-the-king-of-clubs-ndash-and-hearts-1804833.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/sport-on-tv-its-alliss-in-wonderland-with-the-king-of-clubs-ndash-and-hearts-1804833.html <p>If you don't particularly like golf, there are few players you would be prepared to watch a TV programme about. Perhaps only one: Severiano Ballesteros. OK, so he had some dodgy pairs of flares in his time but it was his flair on the course that transcended his staid pastime; he had a sunny disposition mixed with Mediterranean emotion; and, for those who only really get interested in the game when the Ryder Cup is on, "he was without a doubt the reason why Europe started winning", according to Jack Nicklaus on Inside Sport Special (BBC1, Wednesday). If you were to watch a programme about Nick Faldo or Bernhard Langer, you would be likely to reflect upon a good three-quarters of an hour spoiled. </p> TV & Radio Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/judo-howell-is-at-pains-to-throw-down-challenge-1804943.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/judo-howell-is-at-pains-to-throw-down-challenge-1804943.html ]]> <p>Having to pick yourself up off the floor is an occupational hazard in judo, which the Japanese, who invented the art of throwing someone else's weight around, like to call "the gentle way", though in essence it is anything but.</p> Olympics Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-froch-aiming-to-complete-hattrick-of-great-wins-1804239.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/boxing-froch-aiming-to-complete-hattrick-of-great-wins-1804239.html ]]> <p>Carl Froch knows that there are fights that change your life forever and tonight at the Trent FM Arena, in his hometown of Nottingham, he will walk from the shadows at the back to the bright lights aware that he needs a spectacular win.</p> Others Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sport-in-brief-molinari-matches-european-benchmark-with-halfway-15under-1804248.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sport-in-brief-molinari-matches-european-benchmark-with-halfway-15under-1804248.html <p> <i>Golf:</i> Italian Francesco Molinari equalled the lowest halfway total of the European Tour season as he continued to dominate the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura yesterday. </p> Others Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/baseball-yankees-face-400m-question-1803516.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/baseball-yankees-face-400m-question-1803516.html ]]> <p>Roman Abramovich, Sheikh Mansour of Abu Dhabi and Florentino Perez are mega-spenders, who've lavished fortunes on Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid respectively. But for really big bucks nothing of late in all world sports has quite matched the New York Yankees – and the next three weeks will show whether baseball's richest yet hungriest franchise has spent its money wisely.</p> Others Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/gymnastics-keatings-stays-cool-to-claim-dream-medal-1803744.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/gymnastics-keatings-stays-cool-to-claim-dream-medal-1803744.html <p>Daniel Keatings made history as he claimed Britain's first all-around medal at the Gymnastics World Championships with a stunning silver at London's O2 Arena last night.</p> Others Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/cycling-wiggins-eyes-yellow-finish-to-2010-tour-1802678.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/cycling-wiggins-eyes-yellow-finish-to-2010-tour-1802678.html ]]> <p>Britons Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish will be battling for two top classifications in the 2010 Tour de France – the yellow leader's jersey for Wiggins, the green points jersey for Cavendish – on far harder terrain than in this year's race.</p> Others Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-most-bizarre-quotes-in-sport-1802517.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-most-bizarre-quotes-in-sport-1802517.html ]]> <p> Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti was quoted today as having referred to his captain John Terry as 'my pet'. </p> News & Comment Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:47:56 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/a-href-onclickoctopusmtopenflashwindow098605278f1e4a718464817ad97299d2this9071a396fe564b5aa00c346eb6d1fe43return-falsevideo-frochs-in-a-confident-mooda-1802421.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/a-href-onclickoctopusmtopenflashwindow098605278f1e4a718464817ad97299d2this9071a396fe564b5aa00c346eb6d1fe43return-falsevideo-frochs-in-a-confident-mooda-1802421.html Others Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:39:17 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/cycling-prosecutors-examine-syringes-1802091.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/cycling-prosecutors-examine-syringes-1802091.html ]]> <p>French prosecutors have launched a preliminary investigation to examine syringes found during this year's Tour de France. The case was opened after the discovery of several suspicious syringes in a container given by organisers to all the teams in order to collect medical waste, the Paris prosecutors' office said yesterday, on the eve of the 2010 Tour course unveiling in Paris.</p> Others Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/cycling-vandenbroucke-34-found-dead-1801947.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/cycling-vandenbroucke-34-found-dead-1801947.html ]]> <p> Belgian cyclist Frank Vandenbroucke died yesterday in Senegal at the age of 34 . </p> Others Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:41:39 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/cycling-our-dream-is-to-see-a-briton-win-the-yellow-jersey-1801897.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/cycling-our-dream-is-to-see-a-briton-win-the-yellow-jersey-1801897.html ]]> <p>When the lights dim tomorrow morning at the huge Palais de Congres in central Paris and the route for the 2010 Tour de France is revealed, one person will be watching more keenly than most. Given that he plans to win the tour, that is perhaps not surprising, and given he is British cycling's Dave Brailsford, who led his team to such success in the Olympics last year, you wouldn't bet against him.</p> Others Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/the-most-terrifying-sportsmen-1801681.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/the-most-terrifying-sportsmen-1801681.html ]]> <p> British boxer David Haye is currently preparing himself to fight Nikolay Valuev - the seven foot tall, 23 stone giant from Russia. </p> Others Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:55:17 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/chrissie-shatters-ironman-record-in-steamy-hawaii-1801682.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/chrissie-shatters-ironman-record-in-steamy-hawaii-1801682.html ]]> <p> Before sealing her position as perhaps the strongest ever female athlete in the world’s toughest sport, Chrissie Wellington was used to dealing with challenges. A former UK Government policy advisor on international development she had briefed cabinet ministers on reconstruction in Iraq as well as managed a sanitation project in a conflict-ravaged region of Nepal. </p> Others Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:54:30 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/nikolay-valuev-goliath-v-david-1800950.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/nikolay-valuev-goliath-v-david-1800950.html ]]> <p>He lumbers towards the gymnasium, his 23-stone frame filling the corridor, his bison-sized head almost scraping the ceiling, and you half-expect him to be roaring: "Fe, fi, fo, fum!" Instead he waves a cheery "hello". Nikolay Valuev, the biggest man in boxing, may be a genial giant but he does indeed smell the blood of an Englishman, an uppity one named David Haye.</p> Others Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/inside-lines-kellys-aye-on-schools-sport-gives-labour-the-blues-1800962.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/inside-lines-kellys-aye-on-schools-sport-gives-labour-the-blues-1800962.html <p>Getting Kelly Holmes to chair their proposed Olympic legacy task force is certainly more of a bonus than Bono for the Tories; it is a slap in the face for the Government who have been using the dashing Dame as their resident sporting A-lister, spearheading a number of their projects. It isn't yet clear whether Holmes has actually boarded the Blues bandwagon – she was at both party conferences – but her proposals for a Schools Olympics, enthusiastically endorsed by the Conservatives, does not augur well for the future of the Government-backed UK School Games. Currently organised by the Youth Sport Trust, there have been criticisms that these do not truly represent school sports. Holmes and the Tories want to feature 38 sports, including Paralympic events, and introduce a more competitive element among schoolkids of all ages. </p> Others Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/outside-edge-111009-1800964.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/outside-edge-111009-1800964.html <p>Terrible news for motorsport fans in Australia. Spectators at the prestigious Bathurst 1,000 touring car race in New South Wales have been limited to 24 cans of beer each after drunken behaviour marred previous events. Wine-drinkers are only allowed four litres. That's more than five bottles. And please, don't drive. Meanwhile in Minnesota, the aptly named Jerry Johncock, 81, may have his title taken away after winning the 80-84 age division of the Twin Cities Marathon because he accepted a catheter from a spectator (perhaps an Aussie) after 21 miles to help him finish the race. What are the chances of finding such a helpful supporter? But judges think he was taking the piss.</p> Others Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/basketball-nba-stars-to-play-in-new-euro-super-league-1800965.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/basketball-nba-stars-to-play-in-new-euro-super-league-1800965.html <p>Top US-based stars who play in the National Basketball Association will feature in a European super league to be formed in the next 10 years.</p> Others Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/sport-on-tv-fat-chance-for-the-shrink-who-teaches-monkeys-to-ride-bikes-1800969.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/sport-on-tv-fat-chance-for-the-shrink-who-teaches-monkeys-to-ride-bikes-1800969.html <p>It was appropriate that the bikes in the Manchester Velodrome didn't have any brakes. The four women who took part in My Big Fat Cycle Challenge (Sky Real Lives, Tuesday and Wednesday), in which they spent 14 weeks with the British cycling team management in a bid to lose weight, were unable to stop themselves from eating and drinking. They submitted to the challenge in a bid to break the cycle of despair that years of yo-yo dieting had left them in. Given the rigorous regime that had brought our glory pedallers eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, the girls would either break the habit or break down in the process.</p> TV & Radio Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/first-night-european-chess-boxing-boston-dome-north-london-1800699.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/first-night-european-chess-boxing-boston-dome-north-london-1800699.html <p> Muhammad Ali's "phantom punch" may have been enough to floor Sonny Liston in the first round in 1965. But belligerents at an event in London last night might have done better to study chess genius Emanuel Lasker's masterclass of 1889. </p> Others Sat, 10 Oct 2009 04:55:32 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sport-in-brief-10102009-1800484.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/sport-in-brief-10102009-1800484.html <p> <b>Whitaker and Kanselier fall short despite much improved ride </b> </p> <p> <i>Equestrianism: </i>Despite her best efforts on the 17-year-old Kanselier, Ellen Whitaker failed by 0.26 seconds to catch Belgium's Dirk Demeersman on Phaline in yesterday's Dick Turpin Stakes at the Horse of the year Show at the NEC in Birmingham. </p> Others Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100