FOOTBALL
Eagles land Asomugha
The Philadelphia Eagles plucked Nnamdi Asomugha from the free agent market on Friday, signing the Pro Bowl cornerback to a five-year contract, the NFL team said. Considered one of the top free agents available and coveted by several teams, Asomugha spent eight seasons with the Oakland Raiders where he earned the reputation as one of the league’s best shutdown cornerbacks. While Asomugha has recorded just three interceptions in the last four seasons, opposition quarterbacks have rarely challenged the four-time Pro Bowler. Terms were not announced, but according to local media reports his deal with Philadelphia is worth US$60 million. Suddenly the Eagles own what appears to be one of the NFL’s top pass defenses, Asomugha’s signing coming one day after Philadelphia acquired another Pro Bowl cornerback, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from the Arizona Cardinals.
BOXING
Shumenov topples Santiago
Kazakhstan’s Beibut Shumenov made his third successful WBA light-heavyweight title defense on Friday in Las Vegas by stopping American Danny Santiago 44 seconds into the ninth round. Shumenov, who needed only 10 pro fights to claim his first world title, improved to 12-1 with his eighth stoppage inside the distance. Santiago tumbled to 31-5 with one drawn after his third loss in five fights and fell to 0-3 in world title bouts. The champion dominated from the start of the fight and stunned Santiago early in the ninth with a combination, following up with powerful blows until referee Tony Weeks stopped the fight. Haitian-born Canadian Jean Pascal, a former WBC light-heavyweight champion, was among those who entered the ring after the fight and he challenged Shumenov for his title.
BASKETBALL
Global transfers approved
NBA players looking at other options for next season during the league’s ongoing lockout received a global golden ticket on Friday when FIBA announced it will approve transfers to other leagues. The move opens the door for such talents as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant to sign with clubs worldwide until the lockout is settled. Whether or not superstars take advantage of the opportunity is a different matter. After all, injury insurance is the responsibility of players and not their NBA clubs, so players are at their own risk or clubs who sign superstars will be faced with a hefty insurance bill. New Jersey Nets star Deron Williams signed with Turkey’s Besiktas, but the deal allows him to opt out and return to the NBA once the lockout ends.
SOCCER
‘Unsettled’ Fabregas sits out
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed Cesc Fabregas will miss this weekend’s Emirates Cup because he has been “unsettled” by continued speculation about a potential move to Barcelona. Fabregas has been keen to join Barca for more than a year, but the European champions have so far failed to meet Arsenal’s £40 million (US$65.8 million) valuation of the Spanish midfielder. It is thought Arsenal rejected Barca’s latest offer of about £30 million earlier in the close-season and there has been no progress in talks between the clubs. Wenger wants to keep his captain, but he admits the saga has taken a toll on Fabregas, who has not featured in any of Arsenal’s pre-season games as he makes a slow comeback from a recurring hamstring injury.
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