March 5 - 11, 2011
Sports International
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
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Mayweather ‘negotiating Six Nations - Cohen: England with Pacquiao’ still with a lot to prove STEPS are being taken to try and get Floyd Mayweather Jnr and Manny Pacquiao into the ring later this year, according to Mayweather’s uncle Jeff. Relations between the camps appeared to be permanently soured following the acrimonious breakdown of negotiations last year, with neither side able to find a resolution to a blood-testing dispute. The waters were further muddied by the string of charges hanging above Mayweather Jnr’s head, which could leave him facing a maximum of 34 years in jail. But now it seems that the Mayweather camp are willing to reopen discussions over one of the most hotly-anticipated fights in boxing history, which could be set to take place in South Africa. “I know that he [Floyd Mayweather] is talking to Nelson Mandela’s daughter because they are trying to put together something for his 93rd birthday,” Jeff Mayweather toldfighthype.com. “In the midst of that, they’re also trying to make the fight between Floyd and Manny. Right now they
Floyd Mayweather may fight Pacquiao after months of uncertainty.
are working to basically get a letter of intent for the fight to possibly take place. “I’m negotiating with both sides and it’s just a matter now of sending a letter of intent to Manny and one to Floyd through me and see where it can go.”
Hatton camp threaten withdrawal if Alvarez bulks up RICKY Hatton has urged brother Matthew to ‘walk away’ from his WBC light-middleweight title fight with Saul Alvarez if the Mexican turns up for the weigh-in above the agreed 150lb limit. With both men stepping up from welterweight to contest the fight for the vacant title, the two camps agreed to stage the fight at a reduced weight of 150lbs - short of the 154lbs division limit. Alvarez will lose 30% of his fight purse if he comes in above that catchweight, but Hatton’s backroom team are increasingly concerned that is what he will do as he looks for any advantage in pursuit of a title shot that could propel his career to new heights. “Our contract with Golden Boy promotions stipulates both fighters come in at or under 150lbs,” Ricky Hatton told the Daily Mail. “If Alvarez is above that I would want Matthew to call it off. He is already giving away weight to a bigger man. “This lad doesn’t look to me like he’s draining down to the agreed limit. His face doesn’t look drawn like mine did when I had to make the weight. I’m wondering if he’s just going to come in at his usual poundage, pay the fine that’s in the contract and expect the fight to go on.” Hatton’s lawyer, Gareth Williams, went one stage further - insisting “the fight is off” if Alvarez does
Matthew Hatton has been warned not to fight Saul Alvarez if the Mexican does not make the agreed weight limit © Getty Images.
not make the agreed weight. But, crucially, Matthew Hatton seems less adamant, as the 29-year-old prepares for perhaps the defining fight of his career. “I’ve heard what’s being said but I want to believe that Alvarez will honour our agreement,” Matthew said. “If not, it will cost him a third of his purse ... and give us a decision to make.” Alvarez, who is managed by Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, will enjoy almost the entire support of the crowd when the pair fight on Saturday night in Anaheim, another advantage over his Manchester opponent. Being groomed for stardom, De la Hoya clearly has big plans for the Mexican who is yet to lose in 36 fights as a professional. (ESPN)
ENGLAND still have everything to prove as they look to move within touching distance of their first Six Nations Grand Slam for eight years, according to World Cup-winning wing Ben Cohen. Martin Johnson’s men have produced three wins from their opening three championship matches for the first time since they last completed a clean sweep in 2003. Despite there being two games still to play, the Grand Slam talk has already begun, something Cohen part of the last England side to record five wins from five - insisted was totally premature. “Three games ago, we were talking about England losing against South Africa and New Zealand,” he told Press Association Sport. “They’ve beaten Italy, got a good result in Wales, and have beaten France - who didn’t really turn up for the second half. Now we’re talking about them being world
Ben Cohen
beaters. Let’s not get carried away.” Cohen, who is still in touch with some of his former team-mates who are still in the squad, added: “I know that Jonno and all the players are not going to get carried away. I mean, one step at a time.” Cohen knows all about false dawns, having been part of an England side who blew the Grand Slam in the final game of the tournament for
three successive years before finally winning it in 2003. That success was also built on historic victories over each of the Tri-nations the previous autumn. “It was a few years in the making getting to the World Cup final,” Cohen said. “We blew a couple of Championships and a couple of Grand Slams before we got to that year’s Six Nations.” The Sale wing expects England to beat Scotland a week on Sunday ahead of what he branded their first real test in Ireland on the final weekend of the tournament. “They’ve had five out of six games at home,” he said. They’ve spent a lot of time at home and next week against Scotland again, so it’ll be six out of seven. “It’ll stand them in good stead if they go to Ireland and win. It’ll make teams sit up and take notice.” (PA Sport)
LIME announces US$400,000 deal for CARIFTA Games
TELECOMMUNICATIONS giant LIME announced this week that it will invest US $400,000 into regional athletics with a two-year sponsorship of the prestigious CARIFTA Games. During a colourful ceremony held at the Cuddy’z Restaurant in Kingston, Jamaica, Grace Silvera, LIME’s Regional Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Communications said: “We are extremely pleased to continue our investment with the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) in sponsoring the annual CARIFTA Games, which is instrumental in talent discovery and the development of outstanding young athletes across the Caribbean.” “Sport is dear to the hearts of the Caribbean and our athletic prowess greatly defines who we are as a people. This is more than a sponsorship, it’s an investment. LIME is therefore, very proud be sponsors of the games and to facilitate the regional broadcast of this exciting event to athletic fans and supporters across the region,” Ms. Silvera said. Speaking at the function, Olivia Grange, Minister of Youth Sports and Culture said: “Jamaica welcomes the opportunity to stage the prestigious championships as we continue to position the island as a premier location for major sporting events.” In endorsing the sponsorship, Minister Grange lauded LIME for their commitment, noting that the contribution will assist in the execution
Grace Silvera, LIME’s Regional Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Communications (left) presents a giant cheque for $36 Million to Neville ‘Teddy’ McCook, (far right) president of the North America Central America and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) for the staging of the 2011 and 2012 CARIFTA Games. Minister of Youth Sports and Culture, the Hon. Olivia Grange (second left) and LIME Sports Ambassador, Asafa Powell look on.
of the meet being held in Jamaica for the first time in over a decade. Neville ‘Teddy’ McCook, President of NACAC also thanked LIME for their longstanding contribution to sport, “CARIFTA is a breeding ground for the world stage and from these Games many stars are born, and world recognition is given to Caribbean nations, so LIME’s investment will help to develop young athletic talent across the region,” he said. The 2011 CARIFTA Games is scheduled to be held in Montego Bay, Jamaica from April 22-24 and will attract over 800 athletes, their families, coaches and supporters to the island. During the three-
day event more than 150 events will be staged including sprints, distance races, relays and field events. The Games have produced several athletic World Record Holders and World and Olympic Champions, including star athletes such as Usain Bolt, Darrel Brown, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Kim Collins, Pauline Davis-Thompson, and Obadele Thompson. Last year, CARIFTA champions Jehue Gordon, Dexter Lee and Kirani James took their talents to the world stage with gold medal performances at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Moncton, Canada. (Article submitted)