Haye hands in Licence

Heavyweight contender David 'The Hayemaker' Haye confirmed he has handed back his Luxembourg boxing license, but will still try to force a fight with WBC world heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko in 2013. “I'd like to thank the Luxembourg Boxing Federation for licensing me ahead of my July bout with Dereck Chisora in London, but I no longer require that license,” said Haye, the former WBA world heavyweight champion. “It's been well-publicised already, but the reason I applied for a license from the Luxembourg Boxing Federation was because my opponent, Dereck Chisora, had seen his British license withdrawn. The only way we were able to deliver the fight the public wanted, when they wanted it, was to both apply for foreign licenses, as arranged by Chisora's promoter. “In an ideal world, though, I'd now like to box on with a British license. I'm a British boxer, I have never had any issues with the board and, should a fight with Vitali Klitschko happen, I'd be keen to have the British Boxing Board of Control in my corner, simply because they are so experienced and are the best at what they do.” Haye watched Vitali Klitschko defeat challenger Manuel Charr earlier this month and remains confident of getting his shot, despite the champion's hints of impending retirement and a move into politics. “If I was Vitali Klitschko, I wouldn't want to go out on a win like that,” said Haye. “Even in a predictably one-sided affair he didn't look impressive and the the finish was anticlimactic to say the least. The win itself also means very little, as Manuel Charr proved to be nothing more than an unworthy challenger in a half-empty arena. “My aim is to get Vitali in a ring next year, after his election campaign has failed, and bring his WBC world title back to Britain. This is the only fight that interests me at heavyweight, and the WBC world heavyweight title is the one belt I'm desperate to win before I retire for good. I won the WBC world cruiserweight title in 2007, and have won many other world titles since, but lifting the green WBC belt at heavyweight would be an extremely proud moment for me.”

McIlroy's month of August

Rory McIlroy has been named The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month for August following his stunning, record-breaking victory in the US PGA Championship. The Northern Irishman, who receives an engraved alms dish and a jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne, romped to an eight-shot win at Kiawah Island – the same margin of victory as his first Major triumph in the 2011 US Open Championship – holding off a surging Ian Poulter and the surprise challenge of Englishman David Lynn. Having been tied for the lead at the halfway stage, McIlroy accelerated ahead of the field with superb weekend rounds of 67 and 66 to finish with a 13 under par aggregate and become the first Northern Irishman to win the title. His was the largest winning margin since the US PGA Championship became a stroke play event in 1958, and the victory moved him back to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking. McIlroy then continued his superb form to win the Deutsche Bank Championship on the US PGA Tour on Monday, carding four rounds in the 60s to win by one from fellow European Tour Member and 2010 Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen. The 23 year old was the overwhelming choice of the Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month Panel comprising members of the Association of Golf Writers as well as commentators from radio and television. The panel also praised the exploits of Scotsmen Paul Lawrie and Richie Ramsay, and Spaniard Sergio Garcia. Lawrie and Ramsay made it back to back Scottish wins by claiming the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and the Omega European Masters respectively in consecutive weeks, while Garcia won the Wyndham Championship on the US PGA Tour to guarantee automatic qualification for the European Ryder Cup Team. Bill Elliott, Chairman of the Association of Golf Writers, said: “What a month! Of course, Rory has to be the man, but Sergio Garcia’s winning surge into the Ryder Cup team followed by Paul Lawrie’s victory in Scotland were fabulous efforts. All three men have turbo-charged the European team’s confidence at a vital time. “Richie Ramsay also deserves a mention for his excellent win in Crans-sur-Sierre, which made it back to back Scottish winners on The European Tour.” McIlroy wins the award for the second time, having also collected it in March, and other monthly winners are Branden Grace (January), Paul Lawrie (February), Louis Oosthuizen (April), Luke Donald (May), Jamie Donaldson (June) and Ernie Els (July). All seven players will join subsequent recipients in being considered for The 2012 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year Award.