BOXING
Colon in hospital after fight
Boxer Prichard Colon on Sunday was fighting for his life after sustaining an illegal blow to the head during a bout in a Washington suburb, the fight’s promoter said. The super welterweight from Puerto Rico was injured during his 10-round fight with Terrel Williams in Fairfax, Virginia, on Saturday, promoter Lou DiBella said in a statement. Colon, 23, showed symptoms of head trauma in his dressing room following his bout and was rushed to a hospital, where he underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, DiBella said. Colon remained in critical condition on Sunday, DiBella added.
BASKETBALL
Odom improving: reports
Lamar Odom, the two-time NBA champion and reality TV star left fighting for his life after a brothel binge, continues to improve in a Las Vegas hospital, US media reported on Sunday. The 35-year-old remained in the intensive care unit at Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center with serious medical concerns. However, E! News, without citing its source, reported on its Web site that Odom had shown he could swallow — a sign of neurological function — and had been helped out of bed and into a chair for the first time since he was admitted on Tuesday last week. Odom regained consciousness on Friday and offered his first words since he was found unconscious at the Love Ranch brothel outside Las Vegas on Tuesday. Nye County Sheriff Sharon Wehrly said officers who responded to an emergency call were told Odom had used cocaine and sexual performance enhancer supplements in a multiday stay at the brothel.
CRICKET
Samuels reported again
West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels has been reported for bowling with a suspect action for a third time in his career, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday. The part-time spinner was cited after the first Test against Sri Lanka, which the home side won by an innings and six runs in Galle on Saturday. Samuels, 34, will need to undergo testing within 14 days and would be permitted to continue bowling until the results come out, the ICC said. Samuels has already served a near-four year ban from bowling from 2008 over concerns with his action, but was allowed to resume in 2011 after remedial work. He was reported again following a Test in India in 2013 and subsequently banned from bowling his quicker deliveries, but has been allowed to continue with his standard off-break.
RUGBY LEAGUE
Wests Tigers fire Lodge
Australian National Rugby League strugglers Wests Tigers yesterday fired forward Matthew Lodge after he was arrested in New York for allegedly assaulting a man and stalking two women. The 20-year-old is accused of following the two women home to an apartment block on Friday last week and telling them: “This is the night that you die,” the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Wests Tigers immediately terminated his contract, with chief executive Justin Pascoe saying the Sydney-based club would not tolerate such behavior. It is alleged that Lodge followed the women into an apartment after they were let into the building by a male resident, the Herald said. He is then accused of assaulting the man and damaging the apartment, and faces charges including criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass, assault and menacing. The incident comes just months after Lodge was granted bail on domestic violence allegations in Australia.
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
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely