Saturday, July 17, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Pacquiao vs Mayweather Fight : A Let Down For Fans

Posted: 17 Jul 2010 12:32 PM PDT

Pacquiao vs Mayweather

Pacquiao vs Mayweather

The much awaited Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight has lead only to further embarrassment in the international boxing community, causing huge disappointment to the beleaguered fans.

While talks of a fight between the craftiest boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. & Filipino fighter Manny Pacquiao had been doing the rounds earlier this summer, there are no signs of the fight ever happening.

With fan pressure mounting, incidents like Snoop Dogg rapping about the fight & ESPN host Wilbon calling Mayweather a 'coward', the Filipino camp promoter Bob Arum finally sent an ultimatum to Mayweather.

The deadline was set to July 16th but the move proved ineffective as Mayweather chose to turn a deaf ear to it.

Earlier the fight had been cancelled because Mayweather had demanded an 'Olympic style' random blood-test.  The fact that Pacquiao had never failed any blood test was ignored by the Mayweather camp.

This lead to a spark of protests from the Pacquio camp who sued them for passing defamatory statements. It's said that Pacquiao being a bit superstitious had denied drawing out blood right before a match.

However the defeat of Pacquiao against Erik Morales could better explain his reluctance to disagree for a blood test. Pacquiao had to give a blood test 30 days before this match as per the Nevada State Commission rules.

However just 2 days before the match NSAC had claimed that they had lost the blood reports thus asking for a re-test to which Pacquiao reluctantly agreed.  He later claimed to have felt dizzy after the test & attributed this weakness to his defeat. Looks like Pacquiao isn't willing to let history repeat itself.

Speculations are on whether the Mayweather had used this piece of information to their advantage or is it just the fact that the Sr. Mayweather's trial on Aug 2nd is the reason why Mayweather Jr. is noncommittal. Many suggest that Floyd Mayweather is simply avoiding his undefeated tag against Manny Pacquiao.

If the fight doesn't happen as is most likely, Pacquiao might have a match with Mexico-American Antonio Margarito or a Miguel Cotto from Puerto Rico.

Meanwhile fans can only hope that Pacquiao will put his inhibitions aside and Mayweather would emerge to fight in the much –awaited match. Perhaps the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather mega-fight is what the largely disappearing boxing fans need to bring back their interest in the game.

Vinokourov invincible at Tour de france.

Posted: 17 Jul 2010 12:21 PM PDT

Alexandre Vinokourov

Alexandre Vinokourov

Unfortunately Alexandre Vinokourov in 2007 had to retire from tour de france after he was detected positive for doping at the event, but the rider from kazakh returned with a strong determination of not ending his career " that way" this year and won for the first time after his comeback at tour de france. Vinkourov,36 said "Winning a stage in the Tour de France is like winning a world championship.”

Mr Vinokourov won on saturday through a clean invincible lead of five miles from the pack ,which was staged on122.5 mile track spread on the way between Revel and Rodez, two small towns in the south of france with temperatures in the seventies. Compared to the mid- nineties sorching heat on July 3, it was a relief to the riders  who often pedaled 1,568 miles back then. Director of garmin-transitions team matthew white said, "The guys needed a break.”

On Saturday the Kazakh winner got an early getaway from the pack and used the most of it claiming “I was very tired, but not in my head,” he said. His expertise came into play when he sucessfully completed the long descent without any difficulty and on the finishing line waved both his hands as a victory jesture.

The second and the third position was claimed by Marc Cavendish and Alessandro Petacchi respectively.

Watson bids farewell to St Andrews

Posted: 17 Jul 2010 10:44 AM PDT

St Andrews

60 year old Tom Watson never succeeded at winning the Open at St. Andrews which he prefers to calls "Old Lady". He has ended it all on four over par.

“This golf course was tough,” said Watson. Last year, Tom has lost against Stewart Cink at Turnberry.

“She was naked on Friday, but she put on her boxing gloves and just hit us with all she had.”

Walking towards the 18th green, Tom pauses to offer his salutations to the supportive crowd. He slightly then bends over and kisses the Swilcan Bridge, just what Arnold and Jack Nicklaus has done in the past years.

“I think the main thing was the respect I have for the way the game is played over here,” Watson said of his reception by the crowd, “the respect that the people have for their game.

“The Scots invented golf and they love the game with a passion unlike any other people. I enjoy that.

“This is not my last Open Championship. I intend to play some more, but it’s my last Open Championship at St Andrews.

“I thought of Arnold on the bridge, I thought of Jack on the bridge, and their last Opens were both right here at St Andrews.

“My last Open is not right here, the good Lord willing. I have a few more years left thanks to the R&A’s special exemption for me.”

SL vs Ind [Sri Lanka vs India]: Stage Set For M&M ‘s Swan Song

Posted: 17 Jul 2010 10:38 AM PDT

SL vs. Ind

SL vs. Ind

Galle: The Sri Lanka vs. India test series starting from tomorrow will see the great Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan bid farewell to the world of test cricket. The legend who just needs 8 wickets to bring his total up to a whopping 800 will play his last test match led by Captain Sangakarra.

However the signs may not be good for the Sri Lankan team whose last match had been against India in winter the previous year, which they had lost 2-0. That & the fact that India is entering this series as the no.1 test side, would put a lot of pressure on the Sri Lankan team.

However Sri Lanka seems to have done quite well on Galle, beating Pakistan by 50 & New Zealand by 202 runs. Also its heartening to note that spinning legend Murali has a good record on the grounds as well, having taken 5 wickets in an innings on 10 occasions!
Meanwhile the Indian team led by Captain Dhoni has a lot to worry about as the 1st test match begins tomorrow.

Despite the statistics giving them the upper hand, they had been beaten by Sri Lankan Board President's XI on a tour last week where their top order fell after a pathetic combined score of 39 runs! Adding to their woes is the fact that their bowling line is facing problems what with Zaheer Khan & S.Sreesanth being ruled out due to injuries.

Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel & Abhimanyu Mithun are the young blood that India will have to rely on. The Sri Lankan team will be looking forward to the return of Lasith Malinga after a 2 & a half year gap.

And of course all eyes will be on M&M who already has 97 Indian wickets to his credit having dismissed Indian batsmen of note like Sachin Tendulkar & Rahul Dravid many times earlier.

The pitch has some grass left & is expected to turn on the 4th & 5th day as quoted by the curator. That should help spinners like Murali & Harbhajan grab some good wickets in the 1st test match. As always the Sri Lanka vs India match will be a high scoring one with Indian batsmen like Dravid & Tendulkar looking to settle scores.

Also the Sri Lankan batting line-up looks strong with seasoned players like former captain Jaywardene & Dilshan taking the lead. The 1st Sri Lanka vs India test match sure promises to be a close affair with each team playing for its worth.
Here's a look at the teams:

India: M S Dhoni (C), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Murali Vijay, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha and Abhimanyu Mithun.

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakarra (C), Muttiah Muralitharan, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Tharanga Paranavitana, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Prasanna Jayawardene, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, Dilhara Fernando, Dammika Prasad, Suraj Randiv, Thilina Kandamby, Chanaka Welegedara, Lahiru Thirimanne.

Lightning Hire Assistant GM, Sign Centers

Posted: 17 Jul 2010 05:13 AM PDT

Todd Callahan – AHN Sports Reporter

Tampa, FL, United States (AHN) – Coming off a sub-par season and missing the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third year in a row, the Tampa Bay Lightning continued to remodel their roster and front office with a slue of transactions Friday.

Less than two months after hiring Hockey Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman as general manager, the Lightning announced Friday the hiring of Julien Brisebois as assistant general manager.

The team also announced the signing of reserve centers Nate Thompson and Paul Szczechura to one-year contracts.

In Brisebois, the Lightning, who finished 34-36-12 and has reached the playoffs twice since winning the Cup in 2004, are getting a 33-year-old who has spent nine years in the Montreal Canadiens organization.

He also has spent the last three years as general manager of the Canadiens’ top minor league affiliate, Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League.

“We are thrilled to add Julien to the Lightning management team [Friday],” said Yzerman on the team’s website. “He is regarded as one of the best young minds in the game and he should be a strong asset as we continue in our efforts to build a first class, professionally-run franchise.”

Brisebois, who helped the Bulldogs to a 137-78-25 record in three seasons, will assist Yzerman in duties such as contract negotiations and preparation, salary arbitration and player transactions.

Arguably no other team in the NHL has been as busy as the Lightning, who also hired a new head coach in Guy Boucher last month.

The Lightning also signed unrestricted free agent left winger Mitch Fritz and restricted free agents Blair Jones, Mike Lundin and Teddy Percell.

Szczechura, 24, played in 52 games for the Lightning last year and tallied five goals and two assists while splitting time with Norfolk of the AHL.

Thompson, who was picked up after being released by the New York Islanders, also split time in the minors and the big league club.

In 32 games with the Lightning, Thompson had a goal and three assists.

Both will be fighting for a roster spot when the Lightning open training camp in September.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

LeMond Receives Subpoena In Armstrong`s Doping Probe

Posted: 17 Jul 2010 05:13 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – The U.S. District Court of the Central District of California issued American cycling great Greg LeMond a grand jury subpoena as the doping conspiracy probe involving Lance Armstrong enters a new phase, the New York Daily News reported Friday.

LeMond, 49, recently received a subpoena, seeking his testimony and documents related to the ongoing probe by Food and Drug Administration criminal investigator Jeff Novitzky.

Novitzky, who also resolved the BALCO doping scandal in 2003, heads the probe into possible doping conspiracies in Armstrong’s cycling teams since his successful return from cancer in 1998.

Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France champion, has been the center of controversy in the past several weeks after his former teammate Floyd Landis accused him of secretly promoting blood doping.

The subpoena requested LeMond to present documents about Armstrong four cycling team since 1998 (U.S Postal Service, Discovery Channel, Astana, and Radio Shack).

LeMond was also complied to bring other materials, which will provide more information about the heavily-scrutinized Trek Bicycle Corporation – a regular sponsor of Armstrong’s cycling teams.

Reports indicted LeMond is scheduled to appear before the grand jury in a closed door proceedings in Los Angeles on July 30.

Armstrong’s legal representatives remain silent on LeMond subpoena, but the current situation has sparked an old rivalry between the two American cyclists.

In 2001, LeMond spoke to British investigative journalist David Walsh about his knowledge on the relationship between Armstrong and controversial Italian physician Michele Ferrari.

LeMond’s comments infuriated Armstrong, leaving them in a feud lasting several years.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Kahne To Drive Truck For Busch

Posted: 16 Jul 2010 10:15 PM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Mooresville, NC, United States (AHN) – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne will return from a six-year hiatus in the Camping World Truck Series to drive the No. 18 Toyota for Kyle Busch on July 31 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.

Undefeated in two career Truck Series starts, Kahne will drive in the inaugural Pocono Mountains 125 Truck Series race.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve competed in the Camping World Truck Series,” said Kahne, who led 149 of 284 laps in his two Truck Series starts. “It’s a great opportunity for me to come back to the series and compete with really good equipment.

“I’ve watched Kyle put the team together, and it’s really been impressive how well they’ve done this year as a first-year team.”

Kahne, driver of the No. 9 Ford in the Cup Series with Richard Petty Motorsports, won Truck Series races in November 2004 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway and at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

In 13 career Cup starts at Pocono, Kahne has one win (June 2008), two poles (June 2004 and 2008) and five top-10 finishes.

“It’s a big deal for us to have someone like Kasey in the No. 18 Toyota Tundra,” KBM driver-owner Kyle Busch said. “His Truck Series record is about as good as it can get, given that he’s never lost a race.

“He’s obviously got a good record at Pocono in the Sprint Cup Series as well, so we know he’ll give us a great chance to go to victory lane.”

While Kahne is competing in the Pocono Truck event, Busch will be driving the No. 18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Iowa Speedway.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Fitch-Alves Welterweight Rematch Highlights UFC 117 Undercard

Posted: 16 Jul 2010 10:15 PM PDT

Shawn Krest – AHN Sports Correspondent

Oakland, CA, United States (AHN) – The main event of the UFC 117 card, scheduled for August 7 in Oakland, features a UFC Middleweight title match between champion Anderson Silva and challenger Chael Sonnen.

Sonnen would have challenged Silva for the title at UFC 112 in April, but he suffered a deep cut in a bout against Nate Marquardt in February that wouldn’t have healed in time.

Instead, Demian Maia got the shot at Silva and lost a lopsided five-round decision that ended in controversy when UFC President Dana White ripped the champion for showboating and not trying to end the bout.

Since then, Sonnen has called out Silva repeatedly in the media, getting under the champion’s skin with his razor-sharp wit.

Silva is riding a UFC win streak of 11 straight bouts and has made six successful title defenses, both UFC records. He will be looking to extend the streaks, salvage his finisher reputation with White, and shut Sonnen’s mouth at UFC 117.

In addition to the main event, the card features a long awaited welterweight rematch between Jon Fitch and Thiago Alves.

Fitch knocked Alves out in June, 2006. The pair were scheduled to fight a rematch at UFC 107 last December, but Alves withdrew with a knee injury.

The bout was rescheduled for UFC 111 in March, but a pre-fight brain scan showed irregularities with blood vessels in Alves’ brain. He had a corrective procedure and will be making his return to the cage at UFC 117.

The newest UFC Hall of Famer, Matt Hughes will be in action, facing Ricardo Almeida. Hughes has victories over Royce and Renzo Gracie, as well as Gracie-trained Matt Serra.

Almeida also fights out of the Gracie camp and will be looking to even the score with Hughes on behalf of his mentor.

Fan favorite Clay Guida will face Rafael Dos Anjos in an intriguing wrestling vs. BJJ matchup.

Dos Anjos will be fighting for the third time in 2010 and is riding a three-bout winning streak. Guida snapped a two-fight losing streak in March but has won four of his last six.

Ultimate Fighter Season 10 heavyweight champion Roy Nelson faces the toughest test of his brief UFC career in rising prospect Junior Dos Santos.

While Nelson has first-round knockouts in both of his UFC bouts, Dos Santos has won six straight, all by stoppage. Dos Santos’ streak includes a submission of Mirko Cro Cop and a first-round demolition of Gabriel Gonzaga in his most recent outing.

The winner of the bout will be named the number one contender for the UFC heavyweight title and earn a shot against the winner of Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velazquez.

The rest of the card includes Thiago Silva vs. Tim Boetsch in a light heavyweight clash, a welterweight battle between Dustin Hazelett and. Rick Story, and a bout between skyscraper heavyeweights 6’11″ Stefan Struve and 6’5½” Christian Morecraft.

A pair of welterweight bouts: Johny Hendricks vs. Charlie Brenneman and Ben Saunders vs. Dennis Hallman, and Rodney Wallace vs. Stanislav Nedkov in a light heavyweight fight round out the card.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
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