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Sports International
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
October 30 - November 5, 2010
Roach: Pacquiao having worst-ever training camp LOS ANGELES (AP) — When Manny Pacquiao finally made his way past the autograph hounds and the process server to climb the rickety staircase to the Wild Card Gym, he was met by dozens of fans, fellow fighters, reporters and even a television star, all wanting a moment before his workout. Hollywood is jam-packed with distractions for the world’s top pound-for-pound boxer — and the man they call Pacman isn’t even a congressman in this country. Trainer Freddie Roach says Pacquiao is having the worst training camp of his career heading into his Nov. 13 meeting with Antonio Margarito in Texas. In the five months since he won a congressional seat in his native Philippines, boxing has lost some of its urgency for Pacquiao. Roach can even cite physical evidence their careers have been hurt by politics. “He has a foot problem, and that’s because he wears dress shoes too much,” Roach said, referring to the nagging left heel injury that has slowed Pacquiao’s running. Although Roach thinks he’ll have no problem putting together a speed-based game plan to beat the bigger Margarito, he’s worried about Pacquiao’s ability to execute it. The
Boxer Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines, trains for his upcoming boxing match with Antonio Margarito at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong).
fighter who flawlessly teamed with boxing’s most respected trainer to forge a 12-fight winning streak just doesn’t have the same focus, or even the same drive. “At two in the morning, I’m walking around Baguio pulling my hair out, saying, ‘What do I have
to do?’” Roach said, referring to the Filipino city where they trained before returning to Los Angeles last weekend. “I know his mind is off the fight. I know his mind is somewhere else, and that’s because of politics. If there are no more challenges out there after this fight, this could be it. If Floyd (Mayweather Jr.) doesn’t come to the table, I don’t know what’s going to challenge him. He loves his other job, and he might be done with this one.” Roach hopes the move stateside will help, although the hubbub Wednesday at the open workout suggested otherwise. After Pacquiao apparently was served with papers in an envelope on the way into the gym, he quickly got his hands wrapped before walking slowly around the ring in the Wild Card’s stifling heat, patiently answering questions from dozens of reporters. Perhaps after greeting actor Jeremy Piven, Pacquiao would be ready to train. “I’ve been under pressure and tough conditions before,” Pacquiao said. “The training is going good, but the problem is aside from training, there’s lots of stuff to do. ... I’m thinking about (retirement), but I can still fight. I think I’ll do a few more.”
Ex-test players say Pakistan board lacks vision ISLAMABAD (AP) — Former test cricketers have accused the Pakistan Cricket Board of lacking vision after South Africa recorded a comfortable 2-0 sweep of the Twenty20 internationals at Abu Dhabi. Ex-test leg-spinner Abdul Qadir on Thursday said selectors picked the wrong combination for the shortest format of the game and players such as Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat and Misbah-ulHaq did not deserve a place in the lineup. “PCB’s think tank is visionless and has no planning at all,” Qadir told The Associated Press. Pakistan’s batsmen twice failed in two days at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium as South Africa successfully chased down modest targets of 120 and 121 runs.
South Africa’s Caster Semenya celebrates after winning the gold medal in the final of the Women’s 800m at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin. But now she can’t find a sponsor “because of the negative publicity.” (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus, File)
Sponsorless Semenya turns to Facebook campaigners JOHANNESBURG (AP) — While her rivals battled for Commonwealth Games gold, and soaked up the acclaim in New Delhi, Caster Semenya was left fretting over her finances and wondering if she can afford to keep running. A gender test controversy and the ensuing 11-month layoff from competition has robbed the 800-meter world champion of more than just time on the track. Despite being cleared to run by the IAAF, Semenya’s manager, Tshepo Seema, says she can’t find a sponsor “because of the negative publicity.” Semenya is struggling to pay for
her running and has even met with and accepted an offer of help from two young South Africans, who say they “rallied a few friends on Facebook” to raise money for the athlete. Semenya, now 19, was the first black South African woman to win gold at a world championships when she triumphed in Berlin last August. Despite then undergoing infamous gender tests, she was welcomed as a national hero on her return to South Africa and dubbed the country’s “Golden Girl.” Last month, the teenager was named by British magazine New Statesman in a list of 50 people that matter in 2010.
FINA panel to investigate swimmer’s death Miami Heat players, from left, Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade bounced back from their opening defeat to the Celtics to defeat the 76ers.
Heat beat 76ers 97-87 in 1st win for Big three PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh experienced their first win with Miami, with the Heat beating the Philadelphia 76ers 97-87 on Wednesday. Playing with purpose a night after an 88-80 season opening loss in a hyped showdown with Boston, the Heat’s star recruits still did not look comfortable playing with each
other, with only Wade— 30 points — looking particularly sharp against the Sixers. James scored 16 points and Bosh had 15. The Heat hit three straight 3-pointers in the third quarter to extend their eight-point halftime lead, however the Sixers, went on a 15-3 run late in the fourth to make it surprisingly competitive.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Swimming governing body FINA will create a five-person task force of experts to investigate the death of American swimmer Fran Crippen during an open water race in the United Arab Emirates. The panel will include experts in life saving, cardiology and sports medicine, and law, plus two experts appointed by USA Swimming. FINA representative Gunnar Werner will handle the legal aspects. Werner, the acting president of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and a FINA honorary member, is already on the scene in Fujairah, where Crippen died while competing in the FINA open water 10-kilometer World Cup on Saturday. Crippen failed to finish and was found in the water two hours later.
In this July 14, 2007, file photo, Fran Crippen of the U.S. waves after finishing first and winning the gold medal in the Pan American Games 10 km men’s swimming marathon at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Crippen died during a race in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010.