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■ Top fighter admits fixing
One of Thailand's most popular kick boxers said yesterday he threw a match for 200,000 baht (US$4,800) because he needed the money to care for his ailing mother. "I'm about to quit boxing anyway, and I needed that money," Sanit Thiyamayta told police and reporters. "I'm sorry I've betrayed my profession. I probably won't go back to Thai boxing again." Police arrested the 22-year-old bantamweight Thai boxer known professionally as Samson, Son of the Mighty Spirit Mahaesak, after a Tuesday night fight where the referee chased him out of the ring at the end of the five-round match on suspicion that the fight was fixed. He was held on a charge of accepting goods in exchange for purposely losing a match, punishable by up to five years in prison and a 100,000 baht (US$2,400) fine.

■ Soccer
Arsenal thrashes Rangers
Arsenal demonstrated the gulf in class between the top of the English and Scottish premier leagues with an efficient 3-0 thrashing of Rangers in Tuesday's pre-season friendly clash. Arsenal were without key men Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Sylvian Wiltord at Ibrox but still managed to outclass the Scottish champions in their final warm-up before Sunday's community shield match with Manchester United in Cardiff. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger declared himself content with his side's efforts on Tuesday following Saturday's less dynamic 1-1 draw with Rangers' Glasgow rivals Celtic.

■ Soccer
Fan killed in Turkey
One fan was killed and dozens of others were injured amid fighting at a Turkish soccer match, an official said yesterday. The fighting broke out between fans of Karsiyaka and Goztepe, two rival second-division clubs from the Aegean port city of Izmir, before a practice match on Tuesday, said Halil Tatas, Izmir's police chief. Fans threw stones, stabbed each other, and beat each other with sticks, Tatas said. Murat Kongu, 23, was stabbed and died at a local hospital. Tatas said Kongu was stabbed by a fellow Karsiyaka fan and police have detained five people suspected of involvement in his death.

■ Cricket
Clean sweep for Australia
Skipper Ricky Ponting blazed a century yesterday as the world champions Australia crushed Bangladesh by 112 runs to complete an undefeated test and limited-overs series against the touring cricket minnows. Ponting won the toss and elected to bat first for the first time in three limited-overs matches, scoring 101 from 118 balls as Australia reached 254 for seven from 50 overs. Bangladesh was skittled for 142 in 47.3 overs in reply, with all-rounder Ian Harvey snaring four wickets.

■ Rugby Union
Lomu comeback delayed
Jonah Lomu's comeback to high-level rugby from a rare kidney disorder was on hold yesterday when Wellington coach John Plumtree delayed announcing his lineup for a National Provincial Championships warmup match. Lomu, undergoing dialysis treatment three times a week for nephrotic syndrome and awaiting a kidney transplant, survived his first training session in three months with the Wellington squad earlier yesterday and declared himself available for selection. But Plumtree said he needed 24 hours to weigh up Lomu's condition and the possible risks of bringing him back too soon in Saturday's non-championship clash against Taranaki.
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