Sport in Short: Boxing

A ROW has erupted over the venue for Lennox Lewis's first world heavyweight title defence. Frank Maloney, manager of the newly crowned WBC champion, accused the promoters Frank Warren and Barry Hearn of trying to take the fight against the leading contender Tony Tucker to Las Vegas. He claims they have linked with Tucker's handler, Don King, for a bid against Lewis's promoters, Main Events, who want the fight to be in Britain. It was earmarked for 24 April in London or Birmingham, but negotiations broke down and the fight has now gone to purse offers. Meanwhile, Tucker, a former International Boxing Federation champion, pulled out of a bout against his fellow American Mike Acey last night in Memphis, Tennessee because he had a cold and did not want to jeopardise his chances of fighting Lewis.