■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.
Bologna on Thursday advanced past Empoli to reach their first Coppa Italia final in more than half a century. Thijs Dallinga’s 87th-minute header earned Bologna a 2-1 win and his side advanced 5-1 on aggregate. Giovanni Fabbian opened the scoring for Bologna with a header seven minutes in. Then Viktor Kovalenko equalized for Empoli in the 30th minute by turning in a rebound to finish off a counterattack. Bologna won the first leg 3-0. In the May 14 final in Rome, Bologna are to face AC Milan, who eliminated city rivals Inter 4-1 on aggregate following a 3-0 win on Wednesday. Bologna last reached the
If the Wild finally break through and win their first playoff series in a decade, Minnesota’s top line likely will be the reason. They were all over the Golden Knights through the first two games of their NHL Western Conference quarter-finals series, which was 1-1 going back to Minnesota for Game 3 today. The Wild tied the series with a 5-2 win on Tuesday. Matt Boldy had three goals and an assist in the first two games, while Kirill Kaprizov produced two goals and three assists. Joel Eriksson Ek, who centers the line, has yet to get on the scoresheet. “I think the biggest
From a commemorative jersey to a stadium in his name, Argentine soccer organizers are planning a slew of tributes to their late “Captain” Pope Francis, eulogized as the ultimate team player. Tributes to the Argentine pontiff, a lifelong lover of the game, who died on Monday at the age of 88, have been peppered with soccer metaphors in his homeland. “Francisco. What a player,” the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) said, describing the first pope from Latin America and the southern hemisphere as a generational talent who “never hogged the ball” and who showed the world “the importance of having an Argentine captain,
Noelvi Marte on Sunday had seven RBIs and hit his first career grand slam with a drive off infielder Jorge Mateo, while Austin Wynn had a career-high six RBIs as the Cincinnati Reds scored their most runs in 26 years in a 24-2 rout of the Baltimore Orioles. Marte finished with five hits, including his eighth-inning homer off Mateo. Wynn hit a three-run homer in the ninth off catcher Gary Sanchez. Cincinnati scored its most runs since a 24-12 win against the Colorado Rockies on May 19, 1999, and finished with 25 hits. Baltimore allowed its most runs since a 30-3 loss to
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