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■ SOCCER
Yeung set to take control
Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung is expecting to complete his takeover of Premier League Birmingham City within two months. "I hope I can take control immediately, in a couple of months maybe," Yeung told British newspapers yesterday. "I will try to make Birmingham the best club in the world. We will set up 10 football schools in China and, after five years, Birmingham would benefit by getting the best players." Last month Yeung became the club's biggest shareholder when he acquired a 30 percent stake through investment firm Grandtop for £15 million (US$31 million). He said that he would keep Steve Bruce as coach and Karren Brady as managing director.

■ BOXING
Hopkins fined for brawl
Boxing regulators in the western state of Nevada fined Bernard Hopkins US$200,000 on Friday for instigating a weigh-in brawl before his fight with Winky Wright last month. "In Nevada, no melees, no free-for-alls, no fighting should be taking place at a weigh-in," State Athletic Commission Chairman Tony Alamo told Hopkins at a hearing. "The only time there should be fighting going on is the night of the fight." The onstage scuffle erupted after Hopkins shoved his hand in Wright's face. Wright did not face any disciplinary action from the fracas. Asked to explain what set him off, Hopkins said that Wright's entourage was talking trash about his dead mother. "I didn't feel that it was appropriate. My mom is in her grave, leave that alone, that's personal," Hopkins said.

■ SOCCER
Everton suspend Dutch star
Everton suspended Andy Van der Meyde on Friday for missing a training session. "Andy has had numerous warnings about this type of thing and we won't tolerate it any longer," Everton manager David Moyes said on Friday. "I will make a decision regarding the player's future next week." The Netherlands midfielder was suspended for a week and given the maximum fine under Everton's disciplinary code, although the club didn't specify the amount. Since signing from Inter Milan in 2005, Van der Meyde has started only 12 Premier League games because of injury and lack of fitness. In June last year, the 27-year-old winger publicly rejected claims his social life was interfering with his soccer. "I've heard people say that I drink a lot and that I have been going out all the time," Van der Meyde said. "I was frustrated with everything and I wanted to forget things. But I am not an alcoholic."

■ BOXING
Mayweather to fight Hatton
Floyd Mayweather will put his welterweight world title on the line against England's Ricky Hatton in a battle of unbeatens in Las Vegas on Dec. 8, promoters confirmed on Friday. Mayweather is 38-0 with 24 knockouts and the reigning World Boxing Council welterweight champion. Hatton, 43-0 with 31 knockouts, moves up to the 147-pound division for only the second time in his career. Oscar de la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions announced on Friday that tickets for the fight would go on sale on Sept. 17. "Even though this fight is months away, everyone is already talking about it and breaking it down, trying to figure out who has the edge," de la Hoya said. Contracts for the bout were signed earlier this month, with Hatton's father Ray saying the English fighter was set to receive the biggest purse of his career, US$16 million, for taking on Mayweather, who shelved his retirement plans to make the superfight.


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