■SOCCER
Kaka father denies Real deal
The father of Brazilian star Kaka on Saturday refuted claims from Real Madrid that they have signed an agreement with his son. Spanish newspaper Marca claimed earlier that Real presidential candidate Florentino Perez had reached an agreement with the former world player of the year to bring him to the Bernabeu, should he be re-elected. Marca claimed a deal had been reached for a 63 million euro (US$85 million) transfer with Kaka picking up 8 million euros a season net. But in a statement published on Milan’s Web site, Bosco Leite, who also acts as his son’s agent, rubbished the newspaper’s claims. “There is no agreement with Real Madrid and it’s not true to say that the player has already signed a deal with the Spanish club,” he said. “All information regarding the player is only credible and official if it comes from his legal representatives or from Milan. Any other information is baseless.”
■FIELD HOCKEY
South Korea win Asia Cup
Asian Games title holder South Korea defeated Pakistan 1-0 with a penalty corner by Kim Byung-hoon to win the 8th Asia Cup and claim an automatic World Cup berth. Kim scored when he sent a powerful drive into the net in the 66th minute. South Korea did not appear to be in the game and failed to create any opportunities in the first half. However, it was a different story in the second half. Meanwhile, China defeated Malaysia 7-6 on penalties in a game that ended 3-3 after extra time to claim the bronze medal.
■BOXING
Fragomeni retains title
Giacobbe Fragomeni retained his WBC cruiserweight title by earning a draw with Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in his first defense on Saturday. Judge Richard James Davies scored the bout 116-112 for Fragomeni, Robin Dolpierre had it 114-113 for Wlodarczyk, and Esa Lehtosaari scored it 114-114. The 39-year-old Fragomeni was able to avoid the Polish challenger’s long reach to get in close and throw combinations, before his foot speed took him away from danger. The Italian champion — who beat Rudolf Kraj to win the vacant title last October — finally began to land some powerful shots as he relaxed into his style, but it never appeared that Wlodarczyk would be stopped. The 2.06m Wlodarczyk, enjoying a 30cm in height advantage, hung around until Fragomeni began to tire in the later rounds. He put Fragomeni to the canvas in the 11th and thought he’d done it again, but referee Ian John-Lewis ruled the second time that Wlodarczyk had hit the champ while he was still down. Fragomeni (26-1-1) hasn’t lost in six fights since being stopped by former unified champion David Haye, who has since moved up to heavyweight. Wlodarczyk (41-2-1) hasn’t lost since dropping a majority decision in an IBF title fight to Steve Cunningham in May 2007.
■BOXING
Ward boosts title chances
Andre Ward remained unbeaten and stayed on course for a 168-pound (76kg) title shot this year with the biggest victory of his pro career, a unanimous decision over Colombia’s Edison Miranda on Saturday. Ward (19-0, 12 KOs), the 2004 US Olympic gold medalist, showed resilience in fighting 11 and a half rounds with a cut over his left eye caused by a butt from Miranda (32-4). Although Ward couldn’t land a knockout, he clearly demonstrated better skill and discipline while thriving in the late rounds. Fighting at Oracle Arena in his hometown of Oakland for the first time as a pro, Ward received a standing ovation afterward.
Shohei Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw on Friday joined their Los Angeles Dodgers teammates in sticking their fists out to show off their glittering World Series rings at a ceremony. “There’s just a lot of excitement, probably more than I can ever recall with the Dodger fan base and our players,” manager Dave Roberts said before Los Angeles rallied to beat the Detroit Tigers 8-5 in 10 innings. “What a way to cap off the first two days of celebrations,” Roberts said afterward. “By far the best opening week I’ve ever experienced. I just couldn’t have scripted it any better.” A choir in the
The famously raucous Hong Kong Sevens are to start today in a big test for a shiny new stadium at the heart of a major US$3.85 billion sports park in the territory. Officials are keeping their fingers crossed that the premier event in Hong Kong’s sporting and social calendar goes off without a hitch at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium. They hope to entice major European soccer teams to visit in the next few months, with reports in December last year saying that Liverpool were in talks about a pre-season tour. Coldplay are to perform there next month, all part of Hong Kong’s
Shohei Ohtani, Teoscar Hernandez and Tommy Edman on Thursday smashed home runs to give the reigning World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers a 5-4 victory over Detroit on the MLB’s opening day in the US. The Dodgers, who won two season-opening games in Tokyo last week, raised their championship banner on a day when 28 clubs launched the season in the US. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shuffled his batting lineup with all four leadoff hitters finally healthy as Ohtani was followed by Mookie Betts, then Hernandez and Freddie Freeman in the cleanup spot, switching places with Hernandez. “There’s a Teoscar tax to
Marcus Rashford’s first goals for Aston Villa on Sunday inspired a 3-0 win against Preston North End that sent his side into the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 10 years. Rashford struck twice in the second half at Deepdale to end Preston’s stubborn resistance before Jacob Ramsey wrapped up Villa’s long-awaited return to the last four. Villa are to face Crystal Palace — 3-0 winners at Fulham on Saturday — in the semi-finals at Wembley Stadium in London. Revitalized since joining Villa on loan from Manchester United during the January transfer window, Rashford is beginning to show the form that
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