GOLF
Hoey leads Russian Open
Michael Hoey goes into the last round of the Russian Open with a five-stroke lead after shooting a seven-under 65 on Saturday. The Northern Irishman, who is chasing his fifth European Tour title, made an eagle on the par-five eighth hole and had six birdies for an overall 14-under 202. Overnight leader Rikard Karlberg (72) of Sweden and Matthew Nixon (68) of England are tied for second on 207. Karlberg dropped four shots on his first six holes before recovering with four birdies the rest of the way.
BOXING
Soto Karass TKOs Berto
Jesus Soto Karass stopped Andre Berto with a left hook in the 12th round of their welterweight fight in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday night, possibly ending Berto’s once-promising career. Soto Karass (28-8-3, 18 KOs) surged in the fight from the fourth round as Berto began to lose effectiveness from his dominant right side. Though Berto (28-3) floored Soto Karass with a left-hand body shot in the 11th, Berto could not sustain the rally. “In the fourth round I tore [something] in my shoulder,’’ Berto said. “I’m a warrior. I don’t quit. I’m always going to put it all on the line.” By the end of the 11th, Soto Karass recovered from the knockdown and bloodied Berto’s lip, and the Mexican ended it on a technical knockout with the left hand 48 seconds into the final round. The referee stopped the fight immediately when Berto hit the mat — to Berto’s dismay. Soto Karass led on one card, Berto on another, and the third judge had it even. “I thought I was winning the fight, but my corner told me to go with everything. I had to go with the knockout to avoid any problems with the judges,’’ Soto Karass said. Berto, who won his first 27 professional fights, has lost three of his past four bouts. At one time, enjoying his status as WBC and IBF welterweight champion, he was mentioned as a possible opponent for Floyd Mayweather Jr.
CRICKET
Warner shrugs off spat
Australia batsman David Warner has dismissed his latest brush with trouble as “friendly banter” after an on-field altercation with a wicketkeeper in South Africa. Warner and Thami Tsolekile had to be separated by another player and the umpires when they confronted each other on the last day’s play of an unofficial Test between Australia A and South Africa A on Saturday. Sent from the Ashes series in England to South Africa, Warner later posted on Twitter: “Great to be back playing cricket, had lots of fun this week and a bit of friendly banter from the wicket keeper. Was very funny!!” Warner was disciplined recently for hitting England batsman Joe Root in a bar during the Champions Trophy and for comments he made in an argument with reporters on Twitter.
SOCCER
Davids to wear No. 1
Former Dutch international and Champions League winner Edgar Davids will wear No. 1 on his shirt this season, despite playing in midfield. Davids, the head coach at English non-league side Barnet, said he was determined to have No. 1 on his back, even though it is the traditional jersey for a goalkeeper. “That is my number for the season. I am going to start this trend,” the 40-year-old told the Barnet Times. Goalkeeper Graham Stack will wear No. 29 for Barnet, who were relegated from the English fourth division last season and into the semi-professional fifth-tier Conference. “Edgar Davids has asked to wear No. 1, he asked me what number I want and I said I didn’t mind,” Stark said.
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