BOXING
Agbeko looses to Mares
Mexico’s Abner Mares won the International Boxing Federation bantamweight title and remained unbeaten as a professional with a majority decision over Joseph Agbeko in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday. Mares knocked Agbeko down in the 11th round with an apparent low blow before going on to win the fight on two of the three judges scorecards in the bantamweight tournament final. Two judges scored the bout 115-111 for Mares, while the other scored the 118-pound bout 113-113. Mares was the aggressor from the outset, landing a left hook in the opening round that knocked Agbeko through the ropes. However, Agbeko battled back and had a strong fourth round, using his jab effectively and at one point staggering Mares with a right hand. The Ghana-born Agbeko falls to 28-3 with 22 knockouts, while Mares is now 22-0 with one draw and 13 knockouts. Mares lived up to his billing and was a 2-1 favorite for the fight, which took place at The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
Photo: Reuters
SAILING
Oracle Racing wins race
Jimmy Spithill of San Francisco’s Oracle Racing has won the inaugural America’s Cup World Series (ACWS) regatta with a two-race sweep of Dean Barker and Emirates Team New Zealand in Cascais, Portuhgal, on Saturday. There were four lead changes during the two races in the first stop of the series. Sweden’s Artemis Racing was third, Team Korea fourth and Oracle Racing’s other crew, skippered by four-time America’s Cup winner Russell Coutts, was fifth. Rounding out the field in the fleet of 14m catamarans were Team Energy, Green Comm Racing, Aleph and China Team. A winner-takes-all fleet race involving all nine teams was scheduled for yesterday for ranking points that will carry forward through the ACWS. The next stop is Plymouth, England, next month.
ATHLETICS
Liam Adams wins Bondi race
Australian cross country runner Liam Adams won Sydney’s famous city run to Bondi Beach yesterday, sprinting to the finish to outpace race favorite Michael Shelley. Adams, 24, said he never expected to win his first City2Surf, a 14km run that features the steep “Heartbreak Hill” and attracts serious athletes among its huge field, which this year swelled to a record 85,000. However, Adams beat fellow Australian Shelley, who won the race in 2009 and was runner-up last year, with a sprint to the finish on the final 400m to complete the course in just over 41 minutes. Martin Dent finished third. “I never thought I was going to win it,” Adams said of the race, which was this year unusually affected by wet weather. “He’s [Shelley] won it before and he knows how to win this race. I thought he was going to drop me many times during that race.” Jessica Trengove, 23, was the first woman across the line, in just over 47 minutes, while Emily Brichacek was the second and Claire Geraghty the third.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
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