BOXING
Chavez Junior takes crown
Mexico’s Julio Cesar Chavez Junior dethroned Germany’s Sebastian Zbik by majority decision to seize the World Boxing Council middleweight title on Saturday in a showdown of unbeaten fighters. Chavez Junior improved to 43-0 with one drawn on judges scores of 115-113 and 116-112, while the third judge scored the bout a 114-114 draw. Chavez secured his first world title in Los Angeles, the same city where his father, a three-division world champion set to be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame next week, captured his first world title back in 1984. Zbik, in his first pro fight outside Europe, fell to 30-1. He had not fought since last July, when he took a unanimous decision over Argentina’s Jorge Sebastian Heiland in Hamburg, Germany.
RUGBY UNION
Barbarians beat Wales
Fiji fullback Isa Nacewa grabbed a last-gasp try to earn the Barbarians a 31-28 victory over Wales at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, ruining Gavin Henson’s return to the Welsh side after a 27-month absence. Nacewa struck from long range in the final minute to lift the invitation side to a second straight win, after beating England 38-32 with a late try last weekend. The Baa-baas led 19-14 at halftime after tries by Nacewa, Joe Tekori and Sergio Parisse, but Mike Phillips and Aled Brew went over for converted scores to give the Welsh a 28-19 cushion.
SOCCER
Rooney admits transplant
Wayne Rooney is set to become an unlikely role model after he admitted having had a hair transplant. The Manchester United soccer player gave the news to his 740,000 Twitter followers on Saturday: “I was going bald at 25 why not. I’m delighted with the result. It’s still a bit bruised and swollen when it dies down u will be first to see it. Anyone recommend any good hair gel. Haha. I had it done in Harley street hair clinic London. Thanks to all the staff who looked after me.” Rooney’s secret was revealed on Saturday when a photographer spotted the striker emerging from the Harley Street Hair Clinic, which provides “follicular unit extraction.” The procedure, carried out over several eight-hour sessions, involves taking thousands of hair follicles from the back of the head and “planting” them in a bald area.
HORSE RACING
Jockey lawsuit used in ad
An Australian jockey who sued a slimming company in Brisbane because its product was too effective has become the subject of a nationwide advertising campaign. Brazilian-born Wanderson D’Avila is seeking A$12,500 (US$13,400) from the makers of SensaSlim Solution, saying the product suppressed his appetite, but caused him to be suspended for a month after weighing in 0.8kg under his allocated weight for a February race. In a newspaper ad campaign launched yesterday, Sensalim says “thankyou for suing us. The claims made by Wanderson D’Avila about SensaSlim working too well are ... absolutely true.”
RUGBY UNION
Toulouse win French title
Four-time European champions Toulouse won their 18th French title when they beat surprise package Montpellier 15-10 in the Top 14 final on Saturday. Montpellier went ahead at the Stade de France thanks to Fijian winger Tamoci Nagusa’s try in the 27th minute. Toulouse flyhalf David Skrela failed to find his range and was replaced by Nicolas Bezy in the second half. Bezy then helped kick his side to victory.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and