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Sports Briefs

■ OLYMPICS

Rowing trial captivates NZ

Massive public interest in the Olympic trials showdown between New Zealand rowers Mahe Drysdale and Rob Waddell has convinced officials to perform a U-turn and allow spectators and media to attend. Officials had wanted to conduct the trials in private to avoid any distractions, but agreed to bend the rules because of the surge in public interest. The men's single sculls showdown has captured the imagination of the New Zealand public, with one local newspaper describing it as "the most riveting show in town." Drysdale has won the world title each of the past three years while Waddell has just come out of retirement after winning the gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Under the qualifying rules for Beijing, only one of them can compete in single sculls. The loser is still likely to make the team on one of the other crews. Drysdale, 29, was inspired to take up rowing seriously after watching Waddell win in Sydney but is struggling to beat his older rival.



■ FOOTBALL

Marijuana found on Faulk

New England Patriots running back Kevin Faulk was issued a misdemeanor summons last Friday for possession of marijuana. Captain John Babin of the Metro Narcotics Task Force in Lafayette, Louisiana, confirmed the summons. Faulk, a Louisiana native and former LSU star, was on his way to a suite in the Lafayette Cajundome to watch a performance by rapper Lil Wayne, when a routine search by a sheriff's deputy turned up four marijuana cigarettes, Babin said. Everyone heading to the suites was searched, Babin said. Faulk was not arrested or required to post bond.



■ BOXING

Mayweather the entertainer

Leonard Ellerbe defended a decision to have his unbeaten boxer Floyd Mayweather take part in a professional wrestling program next month in Florida. Mayweather, considered by some to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, claims to have been offered US$20 million to take part in Wrestlemania XXIV on March 30 in Orlando, Florida. The unbeaten World Boxing Council welterweight champ will battle 2.1m World Wrestling Entertainment star "Big Show." Mayweather will be conceding around 113kg to the wrestling giant, but Ellerbe says the move is all about underlining Mayweather's credentials as an entertainer rather than just a boxer, just as he did when the champion appeared on ABC's Dancing With The Stars in November.



■ BOXING

Three more for De La Hoya

Oscar De La Hoya plans to fight three times this year, then retire. "I'm at that stage of my career now where I can't take it further," the 35-year-old De La Hoya said on Tuesday. "I can't go on for the next two years, three years. It's just time to hang up the gloves. This is the year." De La Hoya was speaking after a news conference to discuss his May 3 bout against Steve Forbes, a runner-up on US television's Tournament of Contenders. A former champion in five weight classes and one of boxing's most recognizable fighters, De La Hoya wants to meet Floyd Mayweather in a September rematch of their bout last May. Mayweather won by split decision. A third fight would be determined afterward. He has a 38-5 record, with 30 knockouts, but has lost three of his last five. "I've been thinking about this for the longest time now, and now is the perfect year," he said. "This is the perfect moment for me to hang up the gloves and be one of a few, or maybe be the only one, to do it right.

■ CRICKET

Brett Lee receives medal

Brett Lee's rising status in world cricket was recognized when the paceman won his first Allan Border Medal on Tuesday. Lee has blossomed since being given the opportunity to shoulder a heavier workload following the retirement of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne early last year, winning the prestigious award that recognizes the best Australian player for the previous year despite missing some play due to an ankle injury. Lee polled 125 votes to win by 18 over veteran opener Matthew Hayden. Captain Ricky Ponting was third with 64. Andrew Symonds was fourth at 54, followed by Michael Clarke, who got 52. During the period of voting, Lee picked up 70 Test and one-day wickets, including claiming 40 wickets at 21.06 in the recent Tests against Sri Lanka and India.



■ SOCCER

EPL puts plans on hold

The English Premier League (EPL) on Tuesday put plans to take matches around the world on hold, admitting they needed more time to develop a plan that has provoked fierce opposition among fans and soccer authorities. In a statement, the EPL announced that they had indefinitely postponed this week's planned visit to the headquarters of FIFA and admitted they would "need to conduct further internal studies" of the plan to play 10 matches a season overseas from 2011. FIFA president Sepp Blatter has made it clear he vehemently opposes the plan and was reportedly infuriated that the Premier League clubs announced their intentions without seeking prior approval from the world governing body. Senior English soccer figures had also expressed concerns that annoying Blatter was not the best way of helping their bid for the 2018 World Cup.



■ CRICKET

Hogg to retire from Tests

Brad Hogg plans to retire at the end of the tri-series limited-overs finals against India, leaving Australia's test spin bowling stocks in short supply. Hogg, 37, announced his decision yesterday, calling an end to a career that included seven tests and 121 limited-overs internationals as a left-arm spinner. Hogg stepped into the Test void when Stuart MacGill, the long-time heir apparent to leg-spinning great Shane Warne, was injured after Australia's Test series win over Sri Lanka late last year. He played three of the four Tests in Australia's 2-1 win over India and has been a regular fixture of Australia's limited-overs side for five years, playing a role in the World Cup wins in 2003 and last year.



■ SOCCER

Juventus draw with Torino

Juventus' battle to take second place in Serie A suffered a fresh blow on Tuesday as they were held 0-0 in the Turin derby by Torino and had former Czech international midfielder Pavel Nedved sent-off. Juventus -- who lost 2-1 to lowly Reggina on Saturday -- trail AS Roma by three points with the team from the capital due to take on leaders Inter Milan yesterday in Milan. Juventus -- still without leading scorer David Trezeguet who has sinusitis -- dominated the encounter but found a formidable obstacle in the form of Torino 'keeper Matteo Sereni. The 33-year-old was in imperious form, saving from Vincenzo Iaquinta's 27th minute header, then twice from veteran Alessandro del Piero and a header seven minutes from time by Mauro Camoranesi.