BOXING
Botha makes fix allegation
Francois Botha yesterday claimed he was offered A$150,000 (US$155,000) to throw his fight against Sonny Bill Williams, sparking an angry denial from the New Zealander’s manager. Williams, a former World Cup-winning All Blacks rugby star, won the heavyweight bout on points in Brisbane, Australia on Friday, which was marred by unsubstantiated reports that Botha failed a drug test. Botha, 44, alleges Williams’ manager, Khoder Nasser, offered him the money in a Brisbane park three days before the WBA fight, claiming he received a telephone call asking to pick him up alone. “I wasn’t told where I was going. As we stopped at a park, my cellphone was confiscated and was given to a guy in the car,” Botha told New Zealand’s Radio LiveSport. “Then I was being walked [by Nasser], and during this walk, I was offered A$150,000 to throw the fight. “I just said: ‘No, I can’t do it.’” There is no suggestion that Williams was aware of the alleged offer.
WRESTLING
FILA slams Olympic move
The governing body of wrestling says the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) move to drop the sport is an “aberration” against a founding event of the Olympics. Known by its French initials FILA, the organization says it is “greatly astonished” by the IOC executive board decision. FILA says it will take “all necessary measures” to convince IOC members to maintain wrestling’s Olympic status when they meet in Buenos Aires in September. Still, FILA president Raphael Martinetti faces criticism when his ruling board meets this weekend in Thailand. Russian federation leader Mikhail Mamiashvili says FILA is the problem, and Martinetti’s tasks include defending “wrestling’s place before the IOC.”
BASEBALL
Hernandez agrees deal
Felix Hernandez agreed to terms on a seven-year deal worth US$175 million with Seattle on Tuesday that will make the 26-year-old right-hander the highest-paid pitcher in Major League Baseball. The deal, confirmed by the Mariners on their Web site, was nearly completed last week, but delayed after the American League club raised concerns about the Venezuelan’s right elbow. The contract was set to be signed yesterday. Hernandez had been set to make US$19.5 million this year and US$20 million next year to complete a five-year deal worth US$78 million signed in 2010. Instead, he will make US$25 million a year from now through the 2019 campaign.
SOCCER
Lampard to write kids’ books
England international midfielder Frank Lampard is set to put pen to paper, but before Chelsea fans sigh with relief, it is to write five children’s books, it was announced on Tuesday. The 34-year-old — whose current deal expires in the summer and who has not been offered a new one — said that he first got the idea when he was reading stories to his children. The stories will follow the adventures of a schoolboy, Frankie, his soccer-loving friends and pet dog, Max. Lampard said the stories were “loosely based on friends and teammates.”
SOCCER
Huddersfield into last 16
Huddersfield Town set up a match against Wigan Athletic in the last 16 of the FA Cup after beating fellow second-tier side Leicester City 2-1 in a fourth-round replay on Tuesday. Sean Scannell scored the 75th-minute winner for the visitors. Huddersfield will host Wigan in the fifth round on Sunday.
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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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