■ Boxing
Eagle still the champ
Champion Eagle Kyowa of Thailand defeated Japan's Akira Yaegashi in Yokohama, Japan, on Monday with a unanimous decision to successfully defend his WBC minimum weight title. Kyowa, who is based in Japan, improved to a record of 18-1 with six knockouts. Yaegashi, taking his first shot at a world title, slipped to 6-1 with five KOs. Kyowa led after the first four rounds and sent Yaegashi to the canvas with a right to the jaw in the closing seconds of the 10th round.
■ Soccer
Heavily armed fans arrested
Brazilian police arrested two fans who allegedly planned to throw a grenade at a bus full of rival supporters following a Brazilian league match over the weekend, authorities said on Monday. The two Palmeiras fans were detained at a federal highway police checkpoint on Sunday night following the team's 3-1 loss to Cruzeiro in Sao Paulo, highway police said in a statement.
■ Boxing
Jailbird wins title, freedom
Convicted drugs dealer Samson Sor Siriporn is to be released from prison three years early as a reward for winning the women's WBC light-flyweight title, her promoter said yesterday. The Thai boxer, who in April became the first boxer to win a world title while serving a jail sentence, will be paroled on June 13 so she can prepare for her next fight. Siriporn, 24, is serving a 10-year sentence for selling methamphetamines. Under the close watch of dozens of prison guards at the notorious "Bangkok Hilton," Siriporn won a unanimous decision to beat Japan's Ayaka Miyano and take the vacant WBC belt. She has since vowed to turn her back on her life of crime and focus on a career in the ring.
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
US President Donald Trump said he would attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday at Madison Square Garden, but said he does not have much sympathy for ordinary basketball fans who cannot afford sky-high ticket prices to do the same. “They can watch it on television,” Trump said aboard Air Force One on Friday as he flew to Wisconsin for an event with farmers, after he was asked about tickets that have climbed as high as US$8,000 each when the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs square off in Manhattan for the first time in the series. “It’s sorta
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