Arsenal set for China

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that the first-team squad will be travelling to China in July to play Manchester City in the famous Beijing National Stadium. Arsenal and Manchester City will play each other in the inaugural ‘China Cup’, a one-off match in Beijing’s ‘Bird’s Nest’ Stadium on Friday, July 27, kick off 8pm local time. The Gunners will be travelling to China for the second consecutive year, following their successful summer Asia tour in July 2011, in which the Club played matches in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Hangzhou, China. Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis said: “Further to our hugely successful visit to Hangzhou in 2011, everyone at Arsenal is extremely excited to once again be visiting China this year. “We enjoy huge support in Asia and by playing a match in Beijing, we will once again be bringing the Club close to our loyal fans in China. The players and staff had an amazing time in China last year and we are all looking forward to visiting this great country again in July. “The match against Manchester City is sure to be an exciting spectacle, with many great players from both sides playing in front of thousands of supporters in the wonderful ‘Bird’s Nest’ Stadium. It is also fitting that two English clubs are playing each other on the opening day of the London 2012 Olympics, in the stadium which hosted Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.” Ticket details and travel options for supporters wishing to attend the match in Beijing will feature soon on Arsenal.com, together with any developments and news regarding Arsenal’s summer pre-season schedule.

Mayweather matched against Cotto

It's official. Boxing superstar Floyd "Money" Mayweather will return to the ring, step up in weight and challenge Four-Time, Three-Division World Champion Miguel Cotto for his WBA Super Welterweight World title in what will be an electrifying bout between two renowned ring kings. The event will take place on Saturday, May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®.As if the clash between Mayweather and Cotto isn't enough to satisfy boxing's most loyal subjects, the addition of WBC Super Welterweight World Champion and rising Mexican sensation Canelo Alvarez against Six-Time World Champion Sugar Shane Mosley in a 12-round world championship contest should satisfy the entire sports kingdom."Ring Kings: Mayweather vs. Cotto," which coincides with the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo, historically one of boxing's most popular weekends, is presented by Mayweather Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions. The mega-event is sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. Alvarez vs. Mosley is presented in association with Canelo Promotions and Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions.Mayweather, a seven-time world champion in five weight classes, is excited to be facing the heavier, much-tested Cotto, who is the pride of Puerto Rico and has the experience, heart and determination to give pound for pound king Mayweather the toughest fight of his career."Miguel Cotto is a world class fighter who can never be taken for lightly and continues to prove he is one of the best in boxing," said Mayweather, whose only other fight at super welterweight came in a World Boxing Council (WBC) world title win over Oscar de la Hoya in May 200."It will be a challenge for me to compete with him at this weight, but this is the type of test I thrive on and gives me the motivation to train even harder. I have no doubt in my mind that my title belt collection will increase once again and Cotto's reign as champion will come to an end on May 5." Cotto, coming off of the second defense of his title, a spectacular tenth-round technical knockout win over Antonio Margarito in December 2011, is ready to face Mayweather and believes he is Mayweather's most competitive career challenge to date."I am here to fight the biggest names in boxing," said Cotto who true to his warrior spirit that has distinguished his entire career has accepted this challenge to face the undefeated Mayweather. "I've never ducked anyone or any challenge in front of me. I have accepted everything to give the fans what they like...great and exciting fights. That is what the sport of boxing is all about; making the fights that the fans want and deserve to see. On May 5, stay tuned, because I will convincingly beat Floyd Mayweather." In addition to agreeing to the terms of the bout which will take place on Cinco de Mayo, one of boxing's biggest weekends, both fighters have agreed to Olympic-style drug testing for the fight."Shane Mosley is very experienced and strong," said Canelo Alvarez. "He knows how to move in the ring and remember, he did hurt Floyd Mayweather. Mosley is still highly respected and has done so much for this sport. I think he is an opponent that will give me a lot of experience, but I have youth on my side. That is my advantage. I am going for the victory which will continue my path into the boxing big leagues." "I'm excited to work with Golden Boy Promotions again and for this opportunity to fight Canelo," said Mosley. "It's going to be a big night for boxing fans around the world.""Floyd always asks us to find the best available competition for him to fight and we have found that in Miguel Cotto," said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO, Mayweather Promotions."This is a very risky fight for Floyd as Miguel is a solid 154-pound champion who has already proven to have great boxing abilities and to be a very competent and strong puncher. This is a big test for Floyd, but as always I believe, he is the superior fighter with unmatched skills. This will make the difference and lead to another Mayweather victory the night of May 5.""What we have here are two champions of amazing caliber set to meet in the ring on May 5 and give boxing and sports fan one of the most compelling match-ups in the sport's history," said Richard Schaefer, CEO, Golden Boy Promotions. "Floyd Mayweather has already achieved worldwide recognition as one of the best fighters ever and Miguel Cotto is one of the greatest fighters of this era. I commend both fighters for agreeing to the fight each other on one of the biggest weekends for boxing and also commend them for agreeing to participate in Olympic style drug testing, a precedent set by Floyd, which continues to uphold the integrity of the sport." Mark Taffet, Senior Vice President, HBO Pay-Per-View, said, "Boxing fans everywhere know that Mayweather vs. Cotto is a mega-fight and we're thrilled to be able to present this high-stakes matchup on HBO Pay-Per-View. Floyd Mayweather is a major attraction and must-see TV while Miguel Cotto will bring a wealth of experience, skill and determination into the ring." Richard Sturm, president of Sports & Entertainment for MGM Resorts International, said, "The MGM Resorts family is thrilled to welcome the return of both Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto to MGM Grand. These two superstars of the boxing world will bring their incredible strength, speed and skill to the ring, leaving fans electrified on May 5." The undefeated Mayweather, (42-0, 26 KO's), a seven-time world champion in five weight divisions, remains boxing's biggest attraction, wowing crowds and generating record pay-per-view numbers each time he steps into the ring. During his extraordinary career, he has amassed wins over world champions such as Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez and Shane Mosley. His last fight against then WBC Welterweight World Champion Victor Ortiz on September 17, 2011 not only showed his boxing skills, as he took the younger Ortiz to school in the first three rounds before knocking him out in the fourth. The fight against Ortiz not only marked Mayweather's forty-second win of his storied career, but once again showed his unbelievable drawing power as the fight generated 1.25 million pay-per-view buys making it the second-highest grossing non-heavyweight fight in history. He is also no stranger to appearing on the classic Mexican celebratory weekends such as Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day as his fight with Cotto will mark the fifth fight of his career to land on one of those weekends. Mayweather returns to face Cotto in an attempt to capture his eighth world championship. Cotto (37-2, 30 KO's), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, has held a world title every year since 2004 while winning 16 of the 18 world championship bouts in which he has fought. Puerto Rico's most exciting fighter and one of its greatest of all time, Cotto held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Junior Welterweight crown from 2004-2006, successfully defending it six times before vacating it to capture the WBA Welterweight title at the end of 2006, a title he held for nearly as long. After losing the WBA title to Antonio Margarito in July 2008, Cotto won his second welterweight belt in February 2009, knocking out Michael Jennings in the fifth round to become the WBO Welterweight champion. He lost the title in his second defense in November 2009, but captured the WBA Super Welterweight title in June of 2010 at Yankee Stadium in New York by stopping then-undefeated defending champion Yuri Foreman. Cotto successfully defended that title by stopping Two-Division World Champion Ricardo Mayorga in the 12th round in March of 2011 and, in his last fight, finally avenged his loss to Margarito, once again retaining his title and giving him true peace of mind.Mexico's latest boxing superhero, Canelo Alvarez (39-0-1, 29 KO's) has captivated a nation despite being only 21 years old. Known not only for his ferocious and fan-friendly style in the ring, but also for his red hair, freckles and charisma, Guadalajara's Alvarez is a unique fighter in that he has been able to crossover and gain popularity with demographics which prizefighters rarely do. A pro since 2005 when he was just 15 years-old, Alvarez tore through local competition in Mexico, with his only blemish being a four round draw with Jorge Juarez in his fifth fight. Since then, no one has come close to beating Canelo, with the WBA Fedecentro, NABF, WBC Youth, and WBO Latino title belts all filling his trophy case as he rose up the welterweight ladder. In 2010, Alvarez made his move on the world scene, going 5-0 with victories over the likes of Jose Miguel Cotto, Luciano Cuello, Carlos Baldomir, and Lovemore N'dou and in 2011 he took home his first world title. In March of last year, Alvarez decisioned Matthew Hatton for the vacant WBC super welterweight world championship and then went on to defend his belt with knockouts of Ryan Rhodes, Alfonso Gomez, and Kermit Cintron in front of packed houses from California to his native Mexico. On May 5, Alvarez will face his most significant opponent yet in Sugar Shane Mosley.One of the most revered boxers of this era, and a sure-fire first ballot Hall of Famer, Sugar Shane Mosley (46-7-1, 39 KO's) has defined the word "fighter" for nearly two decades. A stellar amateur who just missed out on the 1992 Olympics, Pomona, California's Mosley nonetheless went on to strike gold as a professional, winning his first world title at lightweight in 1997. Defending his belt eight times before moving directly up to welterweight, Mosley stunned the world in 2000 by defeating Oscar de la Hoya for the 147-pound title. The victory put Mosley at the top of the pound-for-pound list, a position he would hold until losing his belt to Vernon Forrest in 2002. In 2003, Mosley had captured another divisional title, this time at 154 pounds, by defeating De La Hoya again, but his amazing journey was just beginning. From 2005 to 2011, Mosley was a regular in boxing's biggest super-fights, taking on the likes of Fernando Vargas (twice), Miguel Cotto, Ricardo Mayorga, Antonio Margarito, Floyd Mayweather, and Manny Pacquiao. It's a record few, if any, can touch, but on May 5, the 40-year old warrior will look to make history once again by defeating Canelo Alvarez to win his seventh world title.

Garcia's hole in one gets the Vote

The first hole-in-one of Sergio Garcia’s European Tour career has been voted by fans as The European Tour Shot of the Month for January. Garcia struck the perfect seven iron shot on the 186-yard 12th hole during the first round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, with the ball pitching on the back plateau of the green and, aided by cries of “go in” from the Spaniard, rolling into the cup.The shot, which also won Garcia a three-night stay at the Emirates Palace every year for the rest of his life, sparked joyous celebrations on the tee and was the undoubted highlight of his opening round of 69. He went on to finish in a tie for 12th place to continue a fine run of recent form which has not seen the Spaniard finish outside the top 12 in a stroke play event on The European Tour since last August. Thirty-two per cent of fans of My European Tour users voted Garcia’s ace The European Tour Shot of the Month for January through www.europeantour.com, ahead of some strong competition, with the next two places also filled by efforts from the same tournament. The second most popular shot, gaining 26 per cent of the votes polled, was by Robert Rock during the final round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, where he held off the challenges of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods to collect the biggest victory of his career. After driving into the fairway bunker down the left of the 14th hole, Rock played a terrific second shot as he struck the ball cleanly from the sand and found the green some ten feet or so from the hole. He duly rolled in the putt for a birdie which extended his lead over the chasing pack, and he subsequently went on to claim his second European Tour title. Third in the voting, with 17 per cent of the votes, was another hole-in-one, this time from Graeme McDowell. The Northern Irishman came to the same 12th hole Garcia had aced three days previously and promptly preceded to follow him into the cup. Garcia’s ace is the first shot to go forward to the 2012 Shot of the Year competition, and he will now no doubt look to emulate Rory McIlroy, whose tee shot on the par three tenth hole at Congressional Country Club in the final round of the US Open Championship was voted The 2011 European Tour Shot of the Year.

Khan and Peterson the Rematch

For 12 rounds last December, Lamont "Havoc" Peterson and Amir "King" Khan battled it out in one of the most compelling championship bouts of 2011. When it was over, controversy raged over the officiating and the final judges' verdict, but in the end Peterson won a split decision capturing Khan's world championship belts. On Saturday, May 19, the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev. will host the highly anticipated Unified Super Lightweight World Title rematch the boxing world has clamored for as Lamont Peterson will defend his WBA World Super Championship and IBF World Championshipagainst Khan in a fight televised live on HBO's World Championship Boxing. Their first fight was a pitched and close battle waged in Peterson's hometown of Washington, DC that was considered by most boxing experts to be a "Fight of the Year" candidate. It was a classic battle of contrasting styles with Peterson brawling and banging while Khan used his lightning quick speed and boxing ability. The deduction of two points from Khan by the referee for a seldom-called foul (pushing) proved to be the difference in the outcome of the close fight, leading to questions being raised as to who actually deserved to win the decision. Khan immediately filed multiple protests following the fight, much to the ire of Peterson who felt Khan's actions tainted his victory and were an act of disrespect. On May 19, the fighters will have the opportunity to settle the score on neutral ground in Las Vegas. "I feel really good about my decision," said Peterson (30-1-1, 15 KO's). "I went over every option available to me in terms of the fights that were on the table. I weighed each one of them looking at the pros and the cons and at the end of the day this is the one that made the most sense all the way across the board. I want everyone to know that, as champion, it has always been up to me what fight to take next. I was not persuaded by any of the controversy or anything else. I just can't wait to fight. I told Khan after the press conference when I won that if it was up to me I would fight him on Sunday, but I had to get with my team to look at every option that was out there. I just want to be clear that I never said I wouldn't fight him, but I wanted to take a look at everything that was out there before I made a decision. I'm happy with the terms of the fight. It's at a neutral site and, when I beat him this time, he won't have anything to complain about." "I'm delighted that I have finally been given the chance to avenge the result of my last fight," said Khan (26-2, 18 KO's). "It's clear I wasn't happy with what went on in the previous fight, but that takes nothing away from how Lamont Peterson fought. He showed tremendous heart that night, but now I have the chance to prove once and for all that I'm the very best in the division. I'm going to take care of business inside the ring and this fight is going to be just as exciting as the last one. The only difference is going to be in the outcome." "I said before their first fight that this was an opportunity to see the two best super lightweights in the world compete at the highest level of the sport and neither Amir Khan or Lamont Peterson disappointed the fans," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "To see them fight again so soon after their first match on neutral ground in Las Vegas is a treat for boxing fans around the world." "We are pleased with the decision to fight Khan for the second time," said Barry Hunter, manager and trainer of Lamont Peterson. "I was extremely proud of Lamont with respect to this process. He took his time and looked at all of his options and he decided this was the best option available. Our preparation for this fight will be the same, it is going to be a hard fight and we will be ready for the challenge."

Branden graces January

South African Branden Grace has been named The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month for January following an explosive start to 2012 in which he claimed back-to-back victories in his homeland. The 23 year old finished one shot clear of his fellow Qualifying School graduate Jamie Elson of England for his breakthrough European Tour victory in the Joburg Open.That win in Johannesburg secured him a place in the Volvo Golf Champions at The Links at Fancourt, near his home in George, which Grace duly went on to win in dramatic fashion, defeating Major Champions Ernie Els and Retief Goosen in a play-off. Grace tied with his fellow South Africans on 12 under par 280 before claiming the title with a birdie on the first extra hole, becoming only the fourth Qualifying School graduate to record multiple victories the season after securing a European Tour card. The two consecutive wins moved Grace up from 258th position in the Official World Golf Ranking to 93rd, and into first place in The Race to Dubai. Grace was chosen for the Golfer of the Month Award by a panel comprising members of the golfing media, ahead of Englishman Robert Rock, who held off the challenge of Major Champions Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Panel member Peter Dixon, Golf Correspondent of The Times newspaper and Secretary of the Association of Golf Writers, said: “It was a fantastic start to The European Tour season, and a very close run contest for the first Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month for 2012. “Robert Rock’s performance in holding off Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods will live long in the memory. It was a truly marvellous performance. But Branden Grace’s back-to-back victories were very impressive, particularly considering he had come through the Qualifying School only a few weeks earlier. Most impressive was the way he dominated the play-off against two of the game’s giants in the second of his wins, and that takes some beating.” The 2010 Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen’s performance in winning the season-opening Africa Open was also recognised by the panel. However, it is his compatriot Grace who receives the first monthly award of 2012, meaning he will join the subsequent monthly winners as contenders for The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year, which was won in 2011 by Englishman Luke Donald.

Mayweather's May day with Cotto

It's official. Boxing superstar Floyd "Money" Mayweather will return to the ring, step up in weight and challenge three-division World Champion Miguel Cotto for his WBA Super Welterweight World title in what will be a gargantuan showdown between two future Hall of Famers who bring excitement and fierce competition every time they step into the ring. Mayweather vs. Cotto will take place on Saturday, May 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be televised live on pay-per-view. Mayweather, a seven-time world champion in five weight classes, is excited to be facing the heavier, much-tested Cotto, who is the pride of Puerto Rico and has the experience, heart and determination to give pound for pound king Mayweather the toughest fight of his career."Miguel Cotto is a world class fighter who can never be taken for granted and continues to prove he is one of the best in boxing," said Mayweather, whose only other fight at super welterweight came in a World Boxing Council (WBC) world title win over Oscar de la Hoya in May 2007. "It will be a challenge for me to compete with him at this weight, but this is the type of test I thrive on and gives me the motivation to train even harder. I have no doubt in my mind that my title belt collection will increase once again and Cotto's reign as champion will come to an end on May 5." Cotto, coming off of the second defense of his title, a spectacular tenth-round technical knockout win over Antonio Margarito in December 2011, is ready to face Mayweather and believes he is Mayweather's most competitive career challenge to date. "I am here to fight the biggest names in boxing," said Cotto who true to his warrior spirit that has distinguished his entire career has accepted this challenge to face the undefeated Mayweather. "I've never ducked anyone or any challenge in front of me. I have accepted everything to give the fans what they like...great and exciting fights. That is what the sport of boxing is all about; making the fights that the fans want and deserve to see. On May 5, stay tuned, because I will convincingly beat Floyd Mayweather." In addition to agreeing to the terms of the bout which will take place on Cinco de Mayo, one of boxing's biggest weekends, both fighters have agreed to Olympic-style drug testing for the fight."Floyd always asks us to find the best available competition for him to fight and we have found that in Miguel Cotto," said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO, Mayweather Promotions. "This is a very risky fight for Floyd as Miguel is a solid 154-pound champion who has already proven to have great boxing abilities and to be a very competent and strong puncher. This is a big test for Floyd, but as always I believe, he is the superior fighter with unmatched skills. This will make the difference and lead to another Mayweather victory the night of May 5." "What we have here are two champions of amazing caliber set to meet in the ring on May 5 and give boxing and sports fan one of the most compelling match-ups in the sport's history," said Richard Schaefer, CEO, Golden Boy Promotions. "Floyd Mayweather has already achieved worldwide recognition as one of the best fighters ever and Miguel Cotto is one of the greatest fighters of this era. I commend both fighters for agreeing to the fight each other on one of the biggest weekends for boxing and also commend them for agreeing to participate in Olympic style drug testing, a precedent set by Floyd, which continues to uphold the integrity of the sport." The undefeated Mayweather, (41-0, 25 KO's), a seven-time world champion in five weight divisions, remains boxing's biggest attraction, wowing crowds and generating record pay-per-view numbers each time he steps into the ring. During his extraordinary career, he has amassed wins over world champions such as Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez and Shane Mosley. His last fight against then WBC Welterweight World Champion Victor Ortiz on September 17, 2011 not only showed his boxing skills, as he took the younger Ortiz to school in the first three rounds before knocking him out in the fourth stanza. He is also no stranger to appearing on the classic Mexican celebratory weekends such as Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day as his fight with Cotto will mark the fifth fight of his career to land on one of those weekends. Mayweather returns to face Cotto in an attempt to capture his eighth world championship.Cotto (36-2, 29 KO's), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, has held a world title every year since 2004 while winning 16 of the 18 world championship bouts in which he has fought. Puerto Rico's most exciting fighter and one of its greatest of all time, Cotto held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Junior Welterweight crown from 2004-2006, successfully defending it six times before vacating it to capture the WBA Welterweight title at the end of 2006, a title he held for nearly as long. After losing the WBA title to Margarito in July 2008, Cotto won his second welterweight belt in February 2009, knocking out Michael Jennings in the fifth round to become the WBO Welterweight champion. He lost the title in his second defense in November 2009, but captured the WBA Super Welterweight title in June of 2010 at Yankee Stadium in New York by stopping then-undefeated defending champion Yuri Foreman. Cotto successfully defended that title by stopping Two-Division World Champion Ricardo Mayorga in the 12th round in March of 2011 and, in his last fight, finally avenged his loss to Margarito, once again retaining his title and giving him true peace of mind.