BOXING
Charlo defends title
Unbeaten American Jermall Charlo on saturday defended his International Boxing Federation super welterweight title with a fourth-round stoppage of Haitian-born American Wilky Campfort. Charlo knocked down the challenger four times before the contest was halted after 76 seconds of the fourth round. Charlo improved to 23-0 with his 18th victory inside the distance, while Campfort saw his 20-bout win streak snapped, falling to 21-2 after his first world title fight. “I started out with my game plan, stay with my jab and see what he would do, how he would take it,” Charlo said. “I’ve got the best jab in the business and I’m going to keep using it because it feeds my family.” The larger Charlo knocked down Campfort with a straight left jab in the middle of the second round, and dropped him to the canvas again only one minute into the third round, a right uppercut toppling the challenger onto his rear in the corner. Early in the fourth round, a left uppercut by Charlo to Campfort’s face caused right eye damage and sent the 31-year-old to the canvas a fourth time. Campfort rose, but said: “I can’t see anything out of my eye,” and the fight was stopped.
RUGBY UNION
Toulon thump Clermont
European champions Toulon emphatically demonstrated that rumors of their demise had been exaggerated as they thumped Top 14 leaders Clermont 35-9 on Saturday. Toulon came into the match on the back of a stuttering start to the season in which they started the day in the bottom-half of the table, while they had begun the defense of their European crown last weekend with a chastening 32-6 thrashing by Wasps. However, with Australia World Cup finalists Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell in the starting line-up, Toulon inflicted a rare home defeat on a strangely subdued Clermont.
RUGBY UNION
Carter sees Racing win
New Zealand star Dan Carter was presented to his adoring new fans before Racing 92 gave their latest recruit something to cheer in beating Toulouse 28-13 in the French Top 14 on Saturday. That result was enough to prise second place away from the visitors and move Racing to within one point of leaders Clermont. “With this unusual end of the week in which every conversation subject turned to Dan Carter’s arrival, we wondered whether the group, who were excited, would be perturbed or by contrast invigorated,” Racing backs coach Laurent Labit said. “That’s why it’s so satisfying to have beaten a direct rival for qualification.”
RUGBY UNION
Ashton helps Saracens win
Chris Ashton gave new England coach Eddie Jones food for thought after scoring two tries in Saracens’ 48-18 demolition of Worcester on Saturday. Ashton crossed in each half in the first match of the day’s double header at Twickenham.
MOTORSPORT
Mercedes seek clarification
Formula One’s Mercedes have denied targeting Ferrari in seeking clarification from the governing FIA about how much teams can work together to develop their cars. “We haven’t launched anything against a particular team,” Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolff said at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after a ruling was sought from race stewards. “What we have sought from the FIA is a clarification to understand what you could do within the rules. It is about transparent information for all teams about what was within the rules and not at all about pointing a finger at anybody.”
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