The RSH sports blog

Burns awarded WBO title

2012-01-27T10:53:00.000Z

Ricky Burns has been declared the full WBO World Lightweight Champion after Mexican Manuel Marquez has moved up to the welterweight division. Scottish star Burns won the Interim title when he beat Michael Katsidis last November in his first fight at lightweight, with Marquez holding the full title while he decided his next move. This means that Burns will go into his title fight against former world champion Paulus Moses on March 10th at the Braehead Arena as the full champion."When I beat Katsidis I felt like a world champion anyway, but this makes it all real and I'm thrilled with the news that I'm now the official full world champion," said Burns."It's a great feeling, but now it's now back to reality and training hard for what will be a tough title defence against Moses in my Scottish homecoming on March 10," "For the last ten years I've been grafting away in my career, but in the last couple of years it has really taken off with me beating Martinez and then beating a great warrior like Katsidis to put me up with the best in the world," The 28-year-old joins WBO World Light-Heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly as Britain's only two world champions, with Cleverly defending his title against American Tommy Karpency on February 25th at Cardiff's Motropoint Arena."Nathan's a great fighter and Britain has now got two world champions to be proud of who can fly the flag on the world stage." added Burns.

Harrison returns to the Ring

2012-01-19T15:59:00.001Z

On 14th April 2012 at the Brentwood Centre Essex, former Olympic and European Champion and World title challenger Audley Harrison, makes his return to the ring when he faces the up and coming prospect Ali Adams in a 10 round Championship contest. Audley wants redemption for his performance against David Haye, where he has been the subject of mass criticism for his performance. Audley says he wants to come back and give it one last shot, but Ali Adams is determined to close the curtain on his career. Audley said ‘I’ve never been more disappointed in myself as I felt that night…anyone can lose, but I didn’t lose with dignity, so I was never going to retire on that performance.’After falling off the boxing radar when slipping to that famous defeat against Haye, many of the British boxing public will be looking to see whether or not Harrison deserves one last roll of the dice with Adams providing a very stern test. Audley said ‘I’ve been sitting on the shelf for 15months, so I’m grateful for this opportunity…with my right arm now healed, I’ll have too much for Ali Adams. I intend to show I still have a future in the game’. Promoter Steve Goodwin of Goodwin Promotions who has secured the staging of this exciting bout stated “Audley has a big name in boxing and beyond, as was seen with his success in “Strictly Come Dancing”. We will see whether his fighting days are over. Ali is hungry, fit and has tons of heart and believes this is his date with destiny, whilst for Audley it is his final chance; retirement beckons if Audley loses this bout…I’m so confident that Ali has his number; I’ve put my money where my mouth is and made this fight without TV. Adams may be somewhat of an unknown to the casual boxing fan, however the Iraqi-born heavyweight, who picked up his first title last time out in December, now looks to make the step up in class by fighting Harrison. Ali said “Audley is a joke. His fight with Haye was an embarrassment and he still wants to make a comeback. I will give him such a beating that Audley will see he does not belong in a boxing ring again.” The bill will be action packed including the return of Prizefighter Welterweight Champion Yassine “The showman” El Maachi in a 10 round title contest. The most exciting boxer in Africa and Ghanaian champion Richard Commey, who has 11 wins from 11 fights all by knockout, will make his first appearance in the UK. His advisor Michael Amoo-Bediako says “ We want to show the British public a future World Champion; in 12 months he will be ready for Ricky Burns”.

McIlroy's shot of the Year

2012-01-19T15:54:00.001Z

Rory McIlroy’s sublime six iron to the tenth green during the final round of the US Open Championship has been voted by golf fans as The 2011 European Tour Shot of the Year. The Northern Irishman, who won his first Major Championship on that glorious Sunday afternoon at Congressional Country Club, dominated The European Tour Shot of the Month competitions in 2011, winning three monthly awards (June, July and December) out of 12. But it was that near-perfect, towering six iron from 216 yards on the par three tenth hole at Congressional which came to rest just a few inches from the hole that fans from My European Tour judged to be the outstanding shot of the 2011 season. “I thought that shot was probably the most important in the round because YE Yang had just stuck it in there close, so to follow that shot up with mine was pretty cool,” said McIlroy. “I had a big lead at that stage but there was always the chance that if I had hit it in the water or done something silly and YE had made his birdie then it would have put a bit of pressure on me. “As it turned out the six iron I hit in there worked out perfectly and I could afford to relax a bit on the back nine and try to take in as much of the experience of winning my first Major as I could. “By the time I reached the turn that Sunday, the amount of people surrounding that clubhouse area with the 10th tee box and green was just unbelievable. There was such a buzz around the place. When I stuck my six iron that close, and the roar that followed, it’s a feeling I will never forget. “Obviously I am delighted that shot has been voted The 2011 European Tour Shot of the Year – it is always special to win an award voted for by the general public and hopefully I can produce a few more of those in 2012!” With 30 per cent of the vote, McIlroy was the overwhelming winner of the Shot of the Year, with Miguel Angel Jiménez acquiring 21 per cent of the vote to take second place for his fearless second shot into the infamous par five 17th at Valderrama in the Andalucía Masters in October, a 250-yard five wood that left the Spaniard with only a ten-foot putt for eagle. McIlroy also took third place (with 12 per cent of the vote) for his December effort – that majestic bunker shot on the 72nd hole of the UBS Hong Kong Open that found the bottom of the cup and secured the 22 year old his third European Tour career victory. One of the lucky entrants who voted in the Shot of the Year competition on europeantour.com has won the sensational prize of a golf break for two people to two European Tour Destinations from the European Tour Properties Network portfolio, the London Golf Club and Le Golf National on the outskirts of Paris. The London Golf Club – host of the European Open from 2008-2009 – became the first European Tour Destination in the European Tour Properties portfolio in 2009, while Le Golf National has not only hosted the French Open 17 times, but will also welcome The Ryder Cup in 2018. The European Tour Shot of the Month Award is presented to the Tour Member for the shot judged by fans from My European Tour to be the most outstanding played during each calendar month on The European Tour International Schedule. The winning shots from each month are entered into The European Tour Shot of the Year Award. The full list of monthly winners in 2011 was: Paul Casey (January), Alvaro Quiros (February), David Horsey (March), Matteo Manassero (April), Luke Donald (May), Rory McIlroy (June, July and December), Thomas Björn (August), Michael Hoey (September), Miguel Angel Jiménez (October) and Martin Kaymer (November).

Justice is served for Khan

2012-01-13T18:02:00.000Z

After a sound and fair analysis of the facts contained in the appeal filed by Golden Boy Promotions on behalf of Amir Khan with respect to the outcome of the December 10, 2011 World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) world title fight between Khan and Lamont Peterson, the WBA has ordered that an immediate rematch take place within 180 days. Washington DC's Peterson' split decision victory over England's Khan in Washington DC has been riddled with controversy as a result of a plethora of anomalies in connection with the bout including referee Joseph Cooper not counting a knockdown of Peterson and deducting two points from Khan for pushing (something for which points are almost never deducted), both of which ended up having a direct impact on the outcome of the fight; the ringside appearance of an unauthorized individual in Mustafa Ameen who apparently handled official scoring slips, seemingly communicated with fight officials throughout the fight and appeared to be photographed posing with a celebrating Team Peterson in the ring following the fight; and possible differences between the score sheet of the WBA and those of the IBF and the District of Columbia Boxing and Wrestling Commission. Acting under its authority pursuant to WBA Rule C.26, the WBA concluded that the bout's outcome was impacted by referee Joseph Cooper's questionable failure to credit Khan with a knock down in round one and his questionable decisions to deduct points from Khan in rounds seven and 12. As further cause to order the rematch, the WBA also pointed to Mr. Ameen's apparent intrusion into the scoring process as well as possible discrepancies between the score sheets of the two sanctioning organizations and the local athletic commission. In its resolution mandating the rematch, the WBA went out of its way to note that under normal circumstances it would not disturb the discretionary function of a referee, however, in this case, because of the multiple irregularities, it was necessary for it to order the rematch. "I'm pleased that justice has been done and the WBA has ordered an immediate rematch. All we ask as sportsmen is for a fair and level playing field when we compete," said Khan. "Lamont Peterson proved in our fight that he is a great competitor and I hope that a second bout will be just as exciting. I want to prove without doubt that I'm the best in the 140lb division by taking care of business in the rematch." "I am thrilled about the decision and hope that we can start negotiations and get the rematch done," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "Both Amir and Lamont are terrific young men and athletes who fought their hearts out in Washington last December. I am sure that fight fans from around the world applaud the WBA's decision since this will be one of the most anticipated fights of 2012."

Kell Brook targets Matthew Hatton

2012-01-11T18:07:00.001Z

Kell Brook and Matthew Hatton will meet in the “War of the Roses” at the Motorpoint Arena Sheffield on March 17 – live on Sky Sports. The top two ranked Welterweights in Britain will clash in a classic Yorkshire versus Lancashire derby to lay to rest any debate on who is the best Welterweight in the land. The bigger picture for the fight though is the chance to fight for a World title later in 2012, and Brook, who is ranked in the top ten of all the governing bodies, is delighted to be facing Hatton in this hometown blockbuster. “This is a fight I’ve wanted for a long time and to get it at the Sheffield Arena means the world to me,” said Brook, 25. “When I first sat down with Eddie, he told me that his vision was a sell-out night at Sheffield Arena and now we’re here. It is a competitive division and we’re both trying to achieve the same goal, so I know that by putting him out of the equation, it gives me a clearer run at the title. I want people to stand up and take notice of me and these are the kind of nights that makes that happen. “We’ve been looking at fights here and in the US but this is the one that gives me the buzz. I know I’m comfortably the best Welterweight in Britain and I’m going to put in a devastating performance on March 17 to show the World just that.” The fight represents an impressive landmark for Hatton, who will fight for the 50th time as a pro when he faces Brook. The Manchester man has held the European and Commonwealth Welterweight titles and put in a brave performance against Saul Alvarez in Anaheim last March when they tussled for the vacant WBC Light Middleweight title. The 30 year-old returned to Welterweight action in August, winning the vacant IBF International title in Blackpool against Andrei Abramenka and with almost twice the number of fights under his belt, Hatton believes his experience of big fight nights will give him the edge in Sheffield. “This is a massive night and a massive fight but it's nothing new to me,” said Hatton. “It's my 50th contest and I'm very proud of that, so I want it to be a landmark and Kell is in the way of that, I don't want my 50th fight to be a loss. I've boxed class opposition in big arenas all over the world so experience will play a part in this fight. Fighting Kell in Sheffield isn't something that's going to keep me awake and it's only an hour down the road so I'll have good support there on the night. “It has irritated me a little bit that people regard Kell as the number one in Britain – I've been European champion and was undefeated at that level, it's like being told you are not even the best at School even though you are the best in Europe! “So finally one of us is going to be able to say that they are number one – people tell me that he is number one and I'm sure he gets people telling him that I am number one, so on March 17 we'll find out for sure.” Brook’s promoter Eddie Hearn added: “This fight has taken it’s time to arrive but I couldn’t be happier that we have finally got it on. I’ve wanted this fight since we signed Kell, and I remember Ray Hatton telling me early last year to let this fight grow and he was right. It’s perfect timing for both fighters and a massive night for British boxing. I want to bring the glory days back to British boxing and you need fights and events that will capture the public’s imagination – this is just the start of what we want to do in 2012 and we’re going to get Sheffield jumping on March 17.” Hearn also revealed that British Middleweight star Darren Barker is likely to make his first appearance since fighting Sergio Martinez in October as the chief support on the night, and that Lee Purdy will face Adnan Amar for the English Welterweight title. Other names for the show will be confirmed in the next week.

Cleverly's third Title Defence

2012-01-11T18:04:00.002Z

Promoter Frank Warren has planned a big year for Welsh star Nathan Cleverly that could include a title defence at Cardiff City's ground in the summer followed by a unification showdown in September. The WBO World Light-Heavyweight Champion from Cefn Fforest must first defends his title for the third time on Saturday 25th February at Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena against American Tommy Karpency, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546). Hall of Fame promoter Warren has staged spectacular outdoor shows with Naseem's Hamed world title fight against Steve Robinson at Cardiff Arms Park and more recently Joe Calzaghe's super-middleweight unification showdown against Mikkel Kessler at the Millennium Stadium. Warren said that former two-time WBC World Super-Middleweight Champion Carl Froch would be an ideal opponent for Cleverly at the famous Cardiff City Stadium. "I would like to see Nathan fight again in early June at Cardiff City's ground in a big open-air show and if Carl Froch wants to step up a weight and fight him then I'd take that fight in a heartbeat, he's made for Nathan," Said Warren. "Then I'd be looking for Nathan to have a unification fight hopefully in September against one of the other title holders," "I aim to bring big-time boxing shows back to Wales regularly again and Nathan is the man to spearhead that," "Karpency is a hard fight for Nathan, but it will bring out the best in him and it will be a sparkling homecoming on February 25th at the Motorpoint Arena and live on BoxNation," "He's only had a few fights as a world champion since winning the title and first I want to establish him in Wales so the fans get to see their new star in action again," "Nathan's fought around the country in the last few years and showed a lot of grit and determination in going to Liverpool last time out against Tony Bellew so now he deserves a homecoming fight," "With Nathan it's about the right time and the right moment, picking up the experience and confidence, winning and unifying titles as we go towards bigger things." Cleverly, who is relishing his first fight in Wales in over fours years, said, "I aim to reignite Welsh boxing again and bring back the glory days when Joe Calzaghe was fighting in the city and I want to keep it going for a good few years," "I remember when I was boxing on Joe's undercard's and the buzz in the city on fight day was amazing, this is what I want to bring back," "Hopefully, as well, it will open the door for the talented young fighters on the card like Craig Evans, Francis Robinson, Lewis Rees and Liam Williams and give them great exposure," "Frank's got big plans for me and to fight at Cardiff City's ground would be a dream. I'm still only 24 and time is on my side to achieve a lot of things. I know the big super-fights will come, I've just got to keep putting on good displays and we are progressively getting there," "In the meantime I can't be complacent by taking my eye off the ball and let Karpency upsets the plans," "I saw Karo Murat's fight against Karpency when I was preparing for my fight against Murat and I saw that he's a southpaw, tough, rugged and strong and he'll come to have a fight with me, but I'll break him down and look good doing it.

Lewis in the Limelight

2011-12-19T11:52:00.002Z

Tom Lewis, who made history in October by winning on his third professional start on The European Tour, today followed in the footsteps of his home club’s most famous figure, Sir Nick Faldo, by being named as The Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year for 2011. The 20 year old Englishman from Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire claimed the prestigious award 34 years after six-time Major Champion Faldo also received the accolade before going on to become the most successful English golfer of all time. “I appreciate this honour very much. It certainly tops off what has been an amazing year,” said Lewis, speaking from the sunshine island of Mauritius where he took part in the Mauritius Open. “I think my dad is more excited about me winning this award than my first Tour victory in October! I am very proud to be named The Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year and I feel very fortunate as there were some strong contenders for this title who played consistently well all season.”Lewis, who shot to prominence with his opening 65 in this year’s Open Championship at Royal St. George’s – the lowest round by an amateur in The Open’s history and one which gave him a share of the lead – produced the same score in the final round of the Portugal Masters three months later to win on his third professional outing, the quickest victory by an Affiliate Member in Tour history. In between those historic rounds, Lewis played his part of the Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup side’s victory over the United States at Royal Aberdeen before joining the professional ranks and producing a top-ten finish in his first event, the Austrian GolfOpen presented by Lyoness. He then finished 70th in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship before going on to record his maiden success in Portugal which set up the platform for a final placing of 66th in The Race to Dubai with earnings of €459,266. To put the achievement in perspective, Tiger Woods required five tournaments to land his first professional title, while Rory McIlroy did not taste success until his 38th European Tour event. Lewis paid tribute to his father and coach, Brian, a former Tour professional, who has been an influential presence during his son’s rise through the amateur game into the professional ranks. “I might not even have been a golfer if it wasn’t for dad, but he has definitely made me into the golfer I’ve become. He is really the person who made this possible. “It’s been a rollercoaster year. I didn’t perform very well in the first half then had the honour of playing with Tom Watson in the first two rounds of The Open, managing to share the first round lead. It was wonderful to win the Silver Medal and shoot 65 in the first round, but I think people will remember the 65 in Portugal because it secured my first professional win. “It only really hit me when I arrived at the airport to fly home when everybody was saying ‘well done’. It was something I could scarcely have believed at the start of the season. It was a great year and a privilege to be part of the winning Walker Cup team in my final amateur event. But now I have a two year exemption on The European Tour and can’t wait to get started in 2012.” Lewis was the choice of a panel comprising The R&A, The European Tour and the Association of Golf Writers, ahead of several strong candidates from the 2010 Challenge Tour including Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen and Scott Jamieson of Scotland, who both finished ahead of Lewis in The Race to Dubai having qualified for the season-ending Dubai World Championship presented by DP World. Olesen enjoyed three joint second place finishes in accumulating €637,703 to finish 48th in The Race to Dubai, while Jamieson shared third place on three occasions to finish the year with earnings of €523,754 and 59th place in The Race to Dubai. Lewis is the 47th recipient of The Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award, stretching back to 1960, and the 22nd Englishman, following several illustrious fellow countrymen including the aforementioned Faldo, Tony Jacklin, Peter Oosterhuis, Mark James, Ian Poulter and Paul Casey. Chris Wood was the last English winner in 2009 while Lewis succeeds 2010 winner, Italian teenager Matteo Manassero.

Donald voted Golfer of the Year

2011-12-15T15:05:00.001Z

Luke Donald has been named The 2011 European Tour Race to Dubai Golfer of the Year after a truly remarkable and record-breaking year on both sides of the Atlantic. The 34 year old Englishman not only ended 2011 as the undisputed Number One on the Official World Golf Ranking, he also became the first player to officially top both The Race to Dubai and the US PGA Tour Money List in the same year. The judging panel, which featured golf journalists from newspapers and magazines as well as commentators from radio and television, were fulsome in their praise of several other worthy candidates, specifically Major Champions Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Charl Schwartzel. But it was Donald’s historic achievement, allied to the consistently high standard of his golf throughout 2011, that saw him voted the unanimous winner. “To have the accolade of European Tour Golfer of the Year means an awful lot to me and I will certainly look back on this year with a lot of fond memories,” said Donald. “It is always nice to be appreciated, especially from the people in the sport who know the game inside out. They have recognised what I have done this year and it is very gratifying to have that validation. “As a professional golfer you are always trying to do your best and it was good to see all the hard work I have put in coming to fruition. I was delighted with my game this year and it is rewarding to feel that, sometimes, consistency does pay off. Everyone dreams of having a year like this and I am very excited and feel fortunate that it happened to me. “Rory’s win at Congressional was amazing as was Darren’s success in The Open while Charl birdieing the final four holes to win the Masters was a truly magical moment in golf. Therefore, to be given the vote ahead of these great players who also had great years is very special indeed.” Donald won three times on The 2011 European Tour International Schedule; the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play in Arizona, the Barclays Scottish Open at Castle Stuart and the Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club where he beat fellow countryman Lee Westwood in a play-off. The latter success, at the end of May, saw him climb to World Number One for the first time – a position he still holds. Coming to the final event – the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates – his coronation as European Number One was not certain however, knowing he had to finish inside the top nine to finally extinguish any hopes McIlroy had of pipping him at the post. An opening level par 72 left him well down the field but he showed his class with closing rounds of 68-66-66 to finish the tournament in third place overall. Equally as impressive was his finish in the final counting event of the US PGA Tour season, the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. Knowing he had to finish inside the top two to deny Webb Simpson in the race for the US PGA Tour Money List, Donald produced a stunning closing 64 – which featured six birdies in a row on the back nine – to win the tournament outright. “The manner in which I came through to win both money lists was, I think, the thing that pleased me the most about the season,” he said. “Going to Florida and winning that tournament when I had to was very important as it gave me the incentive to go on and succeed in Dubai.“There was a lot of pressure on me to come through that week and so, after my first round, to shoot 16 under par over three rounds to get the job done was the icing on the cake and something which gave me a huge amount of satisfaction and confidence to take forward into next year. This game always gives you the opportunity to improve and hopefully I can continue this form into 2012and find some way of getting even better.” In total, Donald finished a cumulative 90 under par for the season on The European Tour and 116 under par on the US PGA Tour, not taking into account the two match play events he contested – the WGC-Accenture Match Play, which he won, and the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain where he was runner-up. He won The Race to Dubai despite playing six fewer events than runner-up McIlroy and topped the US PGA Tour Money List despite playing seven fewer events than second placed Simpson. In total, in prize money alone in 2011, he banked a mere €33,564 short of €10 million. Bill Elliott, Golf Monthly contributor and Chairman of the Association of Golf Writers, said: “When we considered the candidates for this award 12 months ago, after the success that European Tour Members had enjoyed on the world stage in 2010, we all thought it could not get any better than that – but, amazingly, it has. “These are truly extraordinary times and while the Major Championship victories of Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke this year were momentous occasions and ones which all of us who love this game celebrated royally, the overriding achievements of Luke Donald throughout the season stand at the very pinnacle. “Any one of the four players mentioned would be worthy winners of the award but while perhaps Rory’s eight shot win in the US Open Championship was the single best performance of the year, Luke was unquestionably the overall golfer of the year. He is a credit to himself, to his family and to The European Tour, and he is a true ambassador for the game.” Derek Lawrenson, golf correspondent of The Daily Mail and Vice Chairman of the Association of Golf Writers, said: “Luke Donald’s golf this year has been, on occasion, sublime, but most of the time, simply superb. “He is not the type of person to shout from the rooftops about his many achievements but all of us who comment on golf should do precisely that because, in many ways, he has redefined the way we think about the game. He is, therefore, a most worthy winner of the Golfer of the Year.” James Haddock, Sky Sports News golf reporter, said: “When you are at the pinnacle of any sport you are there to be shot at but, week in week out, Luke Donald performed at the very top of his game with a level of consistency and mental strength which was almost unbelievable. “Not only that, every time he needed to do something – like produce a shot to win the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club; produce a low round to win the final event of the US PGA Tour season; or produce a four round performance to cement his position as winner of The Race to Dubai – he did just that.”

Kaymer ends the year in Style

2011-12-12T12:23:00.000Z

Martin Kaymer’s thrilling victory in last month’s WGC-HSBC Champions has earned him The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month Award for November/December. Kaymer started the final day of the World Golf Championship event five shots adrift of leader Fredrik Jacobson before producing a sensational back nine of 29 to cut through the field and take the title by three shots. The 2010 Race to Dubai champion’s faultless nine under par 63 was the lowest final round by a winner in any WGC stroke play event, and helped elevate the German to fourth place in the Official Golf World Ranking. Iain Carter, Golf Correspondent of BBC Radio Five Live, said: “Although there have been many superb performances over the last six weeks, including Rory McIlroy’s majestic victory in Hong Kong, Alvaro Quiros’ superb triumph in the Dubai World Championship and Luke Donald’s clinching of an historic money list double by winning The 2011 Race to Dubai, it was Martin Kaymer’s stunning triumph in Shanghai – and the manner in which it was achieved with nine birdies in his last 12 holes – that made it so special.” McIlroy was a strong contender for the monthly award after taking The 2011 Race to Dubai to the wire with an impressive victory at the UBS Hong Kong Open, while Donald’s third place finish at the Dubai World Championship meant the Englishman held off his Ryder Cup team-mate to make history as the first player to top the Money Lists on both sides of the Atlantic in the same season. Quiros also earned the plaudits of the judging panel which featured golf journalists, radio and television commentators but in the end it was Kaymer who topped the November/December poll giving the German his second monthly award of the year after having taken the January honour following his successful defence of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Kaymer joins an illustrious list of Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month winners in 2011 which features Luke Donald (February and May), Paul Lawrie (March), Charl Schwartzel (April), Rory McIlroy (June), Darren Clarke (July), Thomas Björn (August), Michael Hoey (September) and Sergio Garcia (October), all of whom will be considered for The 2011 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year Award, won jointly by Kaymer himself and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell in 2010.

Arsenal honour Time and Tradition

2011-12-09T18:13:00.004Z

Arsenal Football Club has today honoured a trio of Club legends by unveiling three statues outside Emirates Stadium. Innovative 1930s manager Herbert Chapman; defensive stalwart Tony Adams and goal scoring hero Thierry Henry have all been commemorated in bronze statues, which were today unveiled at Emirates Stadium by Arsenal Chairman, Peter Hill-Wood. The unveiling forms part of Arsenal’s 125th anniversary celebrations, ahead of the Gunners’ home match with Everton on Saturday, which is the closest date to the Club’s first ever match. This was reportedly on 11th December 1886 when the Club, then known as Dial Square, played against Eastern Wanderers on the Isle of Dogs – a game that ended in a 6-0 victory for the new side.
A large crowd, including many specially invited Arsenal supporters and Thierry Henry himself, witnessed the unveiling of the three statues, which are located in prominent positions around Emirates Stadium. The first statue to be unveiled was that of Herbert Chapman, who was Arsenal manager between 1925 and 1934. Chapman’s team won the league four times in five years, and his development of advanced dietary, fitness and tactical approaches was revolutionary. The direct, attacking style of players like Alex James, Cliff Bastin and David Jack, who featured in Chapman’s ground-breaking WM formation brought great success to the Club before his untimely death in January 1934 at the age of just 55. The statue of Chapman is located underneath the clock close to the Danny Fiszman Bridge and sees him looking towards the Stadium as a symbol of the Club’s progressiveness since he revolutionised the Club. The statue of Tony Adams, which is located outside the North Bank at Emirates Stadium, is commemorating an Arsenal legend who enjoyed a 19-year career at his only club. Adams joined Arsenal as a trainee in April 1983 and quickly progressed through the ranks to become the Club’s captain in 1988 at the age of just 22. During his Arsenal career, Adams made a total of 669 appearances placing him second in Arsenal’s all time appearance records after David O’Leary. He is the most successful captain in the Club’s history, leading Arsenal to ten major honours.The afternoon’s proceedings were concluded with Hill-Wood unveiling a statue of Thierry Henry, depicted in his famous celebration after scoring his wonder goal against Tottenham Hotspur at Highbury in November 2002. The statue of Henry is located in the south east corner of Emirates Stadium, by the Spirit of Highbury mural. Henry is Arsenal’s all-time leading goal scorer with 226 goals. During his eight years at the Club between 1999 and 2007 he won two Premier League championships, two FA Cups, the Premier League ‘Golden Boot’ on four occasions and the PFA Player of the Year twice. Fittingly, on 7th May 2006, he scored the last ever goal at Highbury. Peter Hill-Wood, who was joined by Arsène Wenger at today’s ceremony, said: “This year is very special in the history of Arsenal Football Club, when we are celebrating our 125th anniversary. This is not only a good moment to look forward to an exciting future, but also to look back and celebrate great figures in the history of our Club. “Today is a celebration of three hugely influential figures in the history of Arsenal Football Club. Herbert Chapman, Tony Adams and Thierry Henry are three Arsenal Legends who have all contributed so much to the successes of this football club.” The Chairman concluded: “These legends are now proudly on display outside Emirates Stadium for all to see, and will provide a way for Arsenal supporters, and indeed any visitors to the stadium, to remember them and pay their own tributes to these three great men.” Designed and created by MDM, the statues have been cast in bronze and are all life size and a half of the individuals. Having taken roughly 625 hours to create and weighing in at approximately 200kg each, the figures were painstakingly lifted into place on Wednesday, ahead of Friday’s ceremony. On Saturday, Arsenal Football Club will be celebrating its 125th anniversary at its home match with Everton. Activities will be taking place during the afternoon including the return of many Arsenal Legends, who will be introduced to the crowd before the match.

Khan awarded Britain's best Boxer

2011-11-22T14:33:00.001Z

Unified WBA and IBF light-welterweight world champion Amir ‘King’ Khan has scooped the 2011 British Boxer of the Year gong at the annual awards ceremony held by the British Boxing Board of Control on Sunday. The event saw the Bolton star shake-off stiff competition from contenders such as Ricky Burns, Carl Froch, Nathan Cleverly and Jamie McDonnell, all who have enjoyed a fruitful year. Khan, though, has had a highly successful 12 months, having beaten Argentine bruiser Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas last December before his homecoming to England in which he saw off the challenge of undefeated European champion Paul McCloskey at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester. The highlight of the year, however, came against tricky New Yorker Zab Judah in July, when he unified the 140 pound division after a sensational performance in which he stopped the IBF world champion in the 5th round. “I’m very proud to have won the British Boxer of the Year Award,” said Khan. “It means a lot to me to be recognised with this award and gives me the motivation to strive for even more success in my career,” he said. “I would like to thank my team and fans for helping me pick up this award, without their help I would not be able to reach the levels I have over the last year. Freddie Roach, my trainer, has been a key figure in helping me become a unified world champion and I’m sure that the next 12 months will get even better for me,” said Khan. “Thank you to the British Boxing Board of Control for this and I hope to continue to make British boxing proud,” added Khan. The Olympic silver medallist was unable to make it to the event as he is currently in training ahead of his December 10th showdown with Lamont Peterson in Washington. Speaking from his Los Angeles camp, Khan is confident ahead of a bout that he hopes will kick-start a big 2012. “Training is going great and I feel ready to do the business on December 10th. Lamont Peterson is a tough opponent and is a fighter with a very big heart, which showed in his comeback against Victor Ortiz,” Khan said. “But I’m confident, the hard work is nearly done and I’m ready to put on another show come fight night – it will definitely not be one to miss,” he said.

Garcia grabs October's Order of Merit

2011-11-10T12:07:00.001Z

Sergio Garcia’s stunning return to winning ways with back-to-back victories in the Castelló Masters and the Andalucia Masters in his native country has earned the dashing Spaniard The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month Award for October. The 31 year old claimed his first title since the HSBC Champions back in November 2008 when he turned in a compelling performance over his home course, Club de Campo del Mediterráneo, to capture the event by an 11 shot margin with a 27 under par total of 257. Garcia promptly made it two wins in succession, for the first time in his European Tour career, by becoming the first Spaniard to claim a title over the fiendishly tricky Club de Golf Valderrama, where he had finished second in three consecutive Volvo Masters between 2004-2006. In the space of two tournaments, Garcia amassed €833,330 to climb to 18th in the Official World Golf Ranking and seventh in The Race to Dubai. October turned out to be a memorable month for The European Tour, with a dramatic entrance to the professional ranks by Walker Cup winner, Tom Lewis of England, who secured his first professional title in just his third event, the Portugal Masters. Lewis was a strong contender for the monthly award, as was his fellow countryman, Lee Slattery, who landed the Bankia Madrid Masters on his 183rd start on The European Tour. On the global front, Luke Donald produced a remarkable finish to claim the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic and the 2011 US PGA Tour Money List title, while Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland captured the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters in China. However, Garcia topped the October poll and he joins an illustrious list of Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month winners in 2011, following Martin Kaymer (January), Luke Donald (February and May), Paul Lawrie (March), Charl Schwartzel (April), Rory McIlroy (June), Darren Clarke (July), Thomas Björn (August) and Michael Hoey (September). Garcia will now, with his fellow award winners, be considered for The 2011 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year Award, which was won jointly by Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell in 2010.

The third clash of Pacquiao and Marquez

2011-10-31T15:07:00.002Z

Pound-for-pound King Manny Pacquiao has vowed to make his Nov 12 clash with Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez an enthralling toe-to-toe scrap. The previous bouts between the pair have been engaging battles, with little between both fighters. Marquez has always maintained that he was the victor in their previous two fights, despite a draw in their first clash and a split decision in Pacquiao’s favour in the second. But now the Filipino legend has promised more fireworks in their upcoming trilogy as he takes on a Mexican great, famed for his never-say-die attitude. “Juan Manuel Marquez has the right to make alibis about not winning our two previous fights. It’s because of those alibis that I am so motivated for our upcoming fight. I want to end all the questions he has raised about who won our past fights and who the better fighter is,” said Pacquiao. “The years between each fight has made it more interesting. Which of us has improved more? I have improved a lot. I am a more complete fighter than when we fought previously. I am now a tow-fisted fighter. My right is as potent, as powerful and as dangerous as my left. I have as much confidence in my right as I do in my left,” added the reigning WBO welterweight champion. “Another difference between Marquez and me is that since our second fight, I have challenged bigger opponents with a lot more success than he has. This will be an exciting fight because our styles make for exciting fights. He likes to fight toe-to-toe as I do. We both like action and to engage our opponents,” he said. The part-time Filipino congressman, Pacquiao, also believes he has a few questions to answer in this match-up. “I have something to prove in this fight. I expect Marquez to be faster and stronger than the last time we fought. He is the ultimate competitor. I am prepared to go another brutal 12 rounds just like the previous two fights,” promised Pacquiao. “There will be a lot of action in this fight. We both have a lot of pride when we enter the ring representing our countries, fighting for the honor of our nations,” he said. Pacquiao’s legendry trainer, Freddie Roach, fears for his pupil believing that Marquez may be the one fighter who knows how to beat the eight-division world champion. “The last two times they fought, Manny got complacent after knocking Marquez down. Instead of fighting his own fight he followed Marquez and began fighting his fight - big mistake. I think Manny won both fights though Manny made them closer than they should have been,” said Roach. “I’m worried that Marquez could have Manny’s number. He is the only fighter who seems to have figured out Manny’s style. That is why I am training Manny for the knockout -- to clear the air on who is better. Manny is going to shut up Marquez once and for all - I’m sick of his whining,” Roach added. “Marquez will be surprised when he faces this version of Manny. He no longer fights in one direction or with one hand. Manny has become a complete fighter. He moves laterally in both directions and he throws potent punches with both hands. Manny has so many more weapons than the last time they fought. I think Manny knocks out Marquez in the sixth round,” said a confident Roach. The November 12 clash will be screened live and exclusive in the UK on Primetime (Channel 480 on Sky). Having screened some of boxing’s biggest names including Floyd Mayweather, Amir Khan and Carl Froch, Primetime are set to get boxing fans mouths watering again with a potential ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate.

Khan hits the American Capital

2011-10-07T13:42:00.001Z

With two wins over Paul McCloskey and Zab Judah already in the books this year, Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Amir "King" Khan will look to end 2011 with a bang on Saturday, December 10, when he travels to Washington, DC for "Capital Showdown," a 12-round unified championship fight against mandatory IBF challenger and hometown hero Lamont "Havoc" Peterson at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, which will be televised on HBO's World Championship Boxing in the United States. In a featured undercard attraction, undefeated heavyweight contender Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell of Brandywine, Maryland will return to the DC-area for the first time since April of 2010 to face an opponent to be determined. "I'm looking forward to returning to the United States to face a worthy challenger like Lamont Peterson," said Khan. "I always said that I wanted to be active and a true World Champion and I will prove it again on December 10. I know Lamont is a strong contender but it doesn't matter that I'm fighting him in his backyard, I'm coming in as the champion and will leave as the champion." "I'm very happy for my chance to fight for a world title again," said Peterson. "I'm sure Khan will train hard to defend his titles, so I will train harder to take his titles. Winning a world title in my home town is a dream come true." "We are excited to bring this big night of boxing to our nation's capital and to feature a young, powerful and hungry world champion like Amir Khan against a top-flight contender such as Lamont Peterson who will have his hometown fans cheering him on towards reaching his championship dreams," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "This is going to be a great fight and a fantastic way to end the 2011 championship boxing season." "Amir has always been adamant that he wants to face the very best in his division and in Lamont Peterson, he is doing just that by taking on an extremely dangerous opponent in his own backyard," said Asif Vali of Khan Promotions. "I have no doubt Amir will be more than ready for this challenge and will put on yet another glittering display for all of his fans." "Amir Khan is one of the most spectacular fighters in the world and we're thrilled to see him return on World Championship Boxing," said Kery Davis, HBO Sports Senior Vice President of Programming. "This showdown with Lamont Peterson in the nation's capital will be an exciting night on the network. It's a thrill for HBO to be back in Washington for the first time since 1993." One of boxing's best, Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Amir "King" Khan (26-1, 18 KO's) has gone from amateur sensation to approaching the top of boxing's pound for pound list in the span of just seven years. A Silver Medalist for England at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the pride of Bolton's began his professional journey in 2005 as one of the most visible athletes in the United Kingdom. He handled the attention and pressure with grace, winning all but one of his first 20 bouts. In March of 2009, he made his first inroads on the international scene with a five round win over Mexico's future Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera and in his next fight just four months later, he became a world champion with a decision victory over Andriy Kotelnik that earned him the WBA Super Lightweight World Title. After stoppages of Dmitriy Salita and former World Champion Paulie Malignaggi, Khan engaged in the 2010 Fight of the Year, when he decisioned Marcos Maidana on December 11. The 24-year-old champion has been just as impressive so far in 2011, defending his title in April with a win over previously unbeaten Paul McCloskey in front of a packed house at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, and then added the IBF crown to his trophy case with a fifth round knockout over former World Champion Zab Judah. Khan knows the only way to stay at the top is to keep facing the top talent out there, and that is exactly what he will get in number one rated contender Peterson on December 10. Lamont "Havoc" Peterson (29-1-1, 15 KO's) is a supremely skilled boxer with the fighting heart that allowed him to not only win 29 of 31 professional bouts, but also survive a harrowing childhood that left him and his brother Anthony homeless on the streets of Washington, DC. By the age of 10, the Petersons found refuge in a local boxing gym and Lamont quickly showed the talent that has led him to this championship bout. A 2001 National Golden Gloves champion and a National Amateur Champion in 2003, Peterson turned professional in 2004 and impressively won his first 27 bouts. In April of 2009, he won the WBO Interim Junior Welterweight World Title with a technical knockout over Willy Blain, but eight months later he would lose his only fight when he was decisioned by undefeated Timothy Bradley. In December of 2010, Peterson battled future Welterweight World Champion Victor Ortiz to a 10 round draw, and on July 29 of this year, the 27-year-old earned a shot at Khan with a 12th round knockout over Victor Manuel Cayo in an IBF elimination bout. He is ready for the challenge Khan will bring, but is confident his hometown crowd will give him the extra push to take Khan's crown.

Groves receives Award

2011-09-23T14:06:00.000Z

British and Commonwealth Super-Middleweight Champion George Groves has been nominated the Best Young Boxer of the Year by the prestigious Boxing Writers' Club for 2011. The 23-year-old from Hammersmith won the Lonsdale belt from James DeGale in a close contest in May at London's O2 Arena. A delighted Groves said, "I am chuffed to have been voted Young Boxer of the Year. There are a lot of talented fighters in the UK at the moment and to just be considered for this fantastic award is fantastic. I thank everyone who has voted for me and my team who have helped guide me through a testing year." Unbeaten Groves will have his first fight for promoter Frank Warren on November 5th at the Wembley Arena when he defends his titles against former British Champion Paul Smith, exclusively live on BoxNation on Sky platform Channel 456. Groves is the seventeenth boxer promoted by Warren to have won the award, following last year's winner Nathan Cleverly, now the WBO World Light-Heavyweight Champion. Warren said, "It's fantastic news that George has been awarded the Best Young Boxer of the Year award. He's got a big fight coming up against Paul Smith on November 5th in London that will be shown live on BoxNation." Adam Booth, Groves' manager, said, "Many thanks to the Boxing Writers' Club. Our aim is to do this award justice by turning this young boxer into a world champion."

Bjorn again in August

2011-09-15T13:25:00.001Z

Thomas Björn has been named The 2011 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month for August following his epic five-man sudden-death play-off victory in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. The 40 year old Dane, who receives an engraved alms dish and a jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne for winning Golfer of the Month, claimed his 12th European Tour victory in thrilling fashion as he collected his second trophy of the season following the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy. Björn overcame Bernd Wiesberger, Pablo Larrazabal, Mark Foster and then, finally, George Coetzee with scores of par-par-birdie-birdie-birdie at the formidable par five 18th hole of the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles to claim an unforgettable victory. Björn’s third win of the season at the Omega European Masters – just seven days after his play-off epic in Scotland – will make him a serious contender for September’s Golfer of the Month competition, but it was that stunning play-off win at Gleneagles alone that secured him the August award. “The Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month Award is a very nice to way to have your level of performance recognised. It is a reward for all the hard work that I put in to get back to winning ways again. “It’s been a long time since I won one of these awards and it’s nice to be chosen by the judging panel. Sometimes it’s a struggle to stay focussed the week after winning, and in my first round at Crans I was two over par after the first four holes. However, I finished the day strongly and improved with each round. Not many people win back-to-back so it was a really enjoyable experience.” While Björn was the unanimous choice for the August Award, the judging panel – which comprised members of the Association of Golf Writers as well as commentators from radio and television – also recognised the outstanding performances of several European Tour Members for their exploits around the world.Björn’s countryman Anders Hansen continued his formidable form with a career-best third place finish at the final Major of the year, the US PGA Championship; Oliver Fisher secured his long-awaited maiden victory at the Czech Open and Luke Donald continued the path of sustained excellence that has enabled him to establish himself as the World Number One by finishing tied second at the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational and then tied eighth at the US PGA. Björn joins an illustrious list of Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month winners in 2011, following Martin Kaymer (January), Donald (February and May), Paul Lawrie (March), Charl Schwartzel (April), Rory McIlroy (June) and Darren Clarke (July). Björn will now join his fellow award winners to be considered for The 2011 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year Award, which was won jointly by Graeme McDowell and Kaymer in 2010.

DeGale chief support in Liverpool

2011-09-07T20:14:00.000Z

James DeGale's challenge for the European Super-Middleweight title will be chief support to the explosive showdown between Nathan Cleverly and Tony Bellew at the Liverpool Echo Arena. The former British champion gets straight back into title contention against the reigning champion Piotr Wilczewski from Roztocznik in Poland on Saturday 15th October. Promoter Frank Warren confirmed the addition today at a press conference in London today. DeGale, who won the British title in Liverpool when he beat Paul Smith, said, "I'm looking forward to returning to Liverpool to fight for the European title in what will be a good fight for the fans," "I had a great win there when I beat Paul Smith in December to claim the British title and although he was the local favourite then, I hope the fans will come out and support me," "Piotr is a good tough champion and he looks like a right handful, this is really tough fight for me and I'm expecting him to bring the best out in me on the night," "It's fantastic that I'm challenging for the European title in my first fight back and I'm going to take the title." A further title fight on the card sees 2008 Olympian and unbeaten pro Billy Joe Saunders challenge for the first title of his career when he takes on Southern Area Middleweight Champion Gary Bouldon for his title. An action packed undercard features Liverpool's former British Super-Middleweight Champion Paul Smith; unbeaten Liverpool prospects Joe Selkirk, Rocky Fielding and Liam Smith, Ellesmere Port's unbeaten talent Paul Butler; sensational prospet Ronnie Heffron from Oldham; Welsh stars Craig Evans and Tobias Webb; plus the highly anticipated professional debut of Hyde cruiserweight Danny "Boom Boom" Benson

British rivals clash in Liverpool

2011-08-31T10:50:00.002Z

Frank Warren today officially announced the long awaited showdown between WBO World Light-Heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly and challenger Tony Bellew for Saturday 15th October at the Liverpool Echo Arena. It has the potential to be the most explosive fight of the year - and of the new season - as the bitter rivals put their unbeaten records and pride on the line. The rivalry has been building up over the last couple of years and the pair almost fought in May at the O2 Arena when Cleverly was due to face then WBO World Champion Juergen Braehmer, but the German failed to arrive and Bellew stepped in at the last minute. They clashed at a heated press conference and had to be separated by security staff. Ultimately Bellew was beaten by the scales and Cleverly instead faced Aleksy Kuziemski and stopped him in four rounds. The 24-year-old from Cefn Fforest in Wales has a 22-fight unbeaten record with 10 knockouts and formerly held the British and Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight titles. He beat Nadjib Mohammedi last December to win the Interim WBO World title and was declared the full champion by the WBO when Braehmer pulled out and he made the first defence against Kuziemski. "A fight between me and Bellew has been heating up for a long time and now he's ready to be taught a lesson," said Cleverly. "He's got a big mouth, but he can't back it up with his fists and this time he's talked himself into big trouble that he won't be able to fight his way out of," "My blood boils when I think back to the press conference we had and he wanted to fight there and then," "I just wish it was him in the ring that night instead of Kuziemski, I would have knocked him, but he would have come out with excuses that he was a last minute replacement," "I'm happy that this time he's had time to prepare and his weight will right and he'll have no excuses when he's knocked out cold by me," Liverpool "Bomber" Bellew, 28 is undefeated in 16 fights with nine KO's. He won the British title in his last fight against Ovill McKenzie to add to his Commonwealth title. "Cleverley has never knocked anybody out in his life and he's dreaming if he thinks he going to do it to me," Stormed Bellew. "I'll be fit and ready on the night and it's the worst scenario that he could have ever wished for; I'll give him nightmares," "This is the fight I've wanted and been banging for and now I'm going to prove all along what I've been saying is true," "I rattled him at the last press conference, he'll deny it, but he was physically shaking and it's still playing on his mind now," "He can't beat me mentally or physically and he knows that. He may have a touch more speed, but I have plans to counter that," "Come October 15th, Cleverly is in for a nasty nasty shock; he'll be in a hostile place with a hostile atmosphere that he's never experienced," "Full credit to him for facing me, but this will be one of the shortest reigns by a world champion," Hall of Fame promoter Warren, now into his 30th year in the sport, said, "This is a fight that the fans have been waiting for and I'm delighted that it's on," "It is no secret that there is very little love loss between them from their past history together," "I think that the fans will be in for something special when they clash on the night." Warren also revealed that the winner could also get a huge fight against the legendary Bernard Hopkins - the oldest boxer to ever win a win title at 46 - who defends his WBC World title against Chad Dawson on the same night. "I'm in discussions with Hopkins' promoter Richard Schaefer about a potential fight with the winner so it's a massive incentive for both guys."

Stars turn out in China

2011-08-30T09:24:00.001Z

The 18 exempt nations for the 2011 Omega Mission Hills World Cup have confirmed their pairings for this year’s star-studded event at Mission Hills Resort, Hainan Island, China, from November 24-27. Five Major Champions – including current Masters Tournament winner Charl Schwartzel and US Open Champion Rory McIlroy – will represent their countries along with title holders Edoardo and Francesco Molinari of Italy. Schwartzel is joined in a strong South African line-up by 2010 Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen while McIlroy will reprise his partnership with last year’s US Open Champion Graeme McDowell, a potent duo which earned them a share of second place behind the Italians in 2009. Last year’s US PGA Champion Martin Kaymer of Germany will have Alex Cejka as his partner for the fourth successive time, the combination having finished sixth in 2007, fifth in 2008 and sixth in 2009. Meanwhile the United States will be represented by Matt Kuchar and his partner Gary Woodland. Both men recognise the honour and privilege of representing the Stars and Stripes. Kuchar said. “It’s exciting to think about the World Cup and representing the United States. Any time you put on a uniform that has the Stars and Stripes on it gives any American player a special feeling and to be part of a two man team that represents the United States of America only once every two years is a fantastic opportunity and I am very much excited about being part of it. Woodland said: “It means a lot to me to represent the United States. I do a lot with our military charities and getting a chance to play for the USA means more than I can describe. Matt is a very consistent player, always in play. Hopefully it pans out pretty well. I have a little length to add to it, so hopefully I can drive it out there, he can knock it close and we both get our putters going and we can make a lot of birdies.” England’s Ian Poulter has named his close friend Justin Rose to fly the flag for England, four years after they finished fourth on their only appearance as a double act at the original Mission Hills Resort in Shenzen. Poulter said: “I am very much looking forward to returning to the World Cup and representing my country once again. I’m a very patriotic guy and the chance to play for England on the world stage is one that I always relish. “Everyone who knows me knows how much I enjoy the different aspect that team events bring to golf. I love the head-to-head element of The Ryder Cup but I also really enjoy the format of the World Cup.” Rose is equally enthusiastic and commented: “Obviously I am really excited to play with ‘Poults’, As our friendship goes way back and we had good run in the World Cup once before. “I think the World Cup would be a great tournament to have on your CV and we are going there to win it, no doubt about that. For me it is the kind of tournament that if you say you have won the World Cup it sounds prestigious – it is prestigious, and I think we have as good a shot as anybody in the competition.” Robert Karlsson, a player with a powerful World Cup pedigree, returns to China with a new partner in Alex Noren, the recent winner of the Nordea Masters in his native Sweden. Karlsson, the former European Number One, captured the title with Henrik Stenson in 2008 and the same combination shared second place with Ireland two years ago. Spain’s Alvaro Quiros has nominated the veteran Miguel Angel Jiménez as his ally with Martin Laird and Stephen Gallacher representing 2007 champions Scotland, and Jamie Donaldson and Rhys Davies linking up under the banner of Wales. “I am very excited about the prospect of playing my first World Cup for Spain” declared Quiros. “To represent your country is a great honour and I did it as an amateur through the boys, youths and senior teams for Spain, now it is my turn to do it for the first time as a professional. “I know I hit it further than Miguel but one of the main strengths of our team will be the fact that he is so consistent. That is a great thing to have in a partner and he is also so experienced. He has dealt with everything in his career and I will be looking for him to show me the way. For us to win the World Cup for Spain would be a huge deal for our country, a huge thing. There is no doubt that the words, ‘World Cup’ mean a lot in any sport and golf is no different.” The Molinari siblings are joined in the field by another set of brothers, Camilo and Manuel Villegas from Colombia, while Denmark’s Anders Hansen, third in the recent US PGA Championship, has elected to play with Thomas Björn for Denmark. In Asia, Japan’s Yuta Ikeda joins forces with Tetsuji Hiratsuka while Thongchai Jaidee competes for Thailand alongside Kiradech Aphibarnrat while China, as the host nation, also qualify automatically and will be represented on Hainan Island by Lian Wen-chong and Zhang Xin-jun.

Groves joins ranks with Warren

2011-08-25T15:24:00.000Z

Frank Warren is today delighted to announce that he has signed George Groves, the reigning British and Commonwealth Super-Middleweight Champion, to a promotional agreement. Groves, 23, has signed a three-year deal with Britain's top promoter and joins a talent pack organisation that includes world champions Nathan Cleverly (WBO Light-Heavyweight) and Ricky Burns (WBO Super-Featherweight); his big rival James DeGale, plus the best young talent in the sport. Hall of Fame promoter Warren has handled the majority of top British super-middleweights world champions and has made some of the classic fights in the division, featuring Joe Calzaghe, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and Steve Collins, plus Robin Reid and Richie Woodhall. Warren said, "I'm very happy that George has chosen to come under my promotional banner and we will now be involved in some big fights. He's a good fighter and the last fight against James DeGale was the first time I had worked with him. Of course, everyone is asking about a return with James, who I represent, and it is an obvious fight that will definitely happen again. The last fight was very close and a few observers felt that it could have gone either way. One things for sure the public will want to see it again. It's a big domestic rivalry that will become ever bigger." Londoner Groves, unbeaten in 13 fights with ten stoppages, is ranked inside the top 15 with the WBC and IBF organisations. Groves said, "Having sat down with Adam Booth and discussed at length what was the best move for my career and fighting to progress towards a World title, we agreed that everything that Frank put to us made perfect sense. He is the most experienced promoter in Britain by far and we feel has the experience and ability to take me to the very top. Exciting times ahead." Adam Booth, who will remain as Groves' manager and trainer, said, "On the surface, this may seem a strange decision from me and Hayemaker boxing to have made, but this is all about what is best for the career of George and we believe that working with Frank is the best decision we could have made. George has the full support of both myself and David Haye as we know that if anybody can take George to the top, Frank is the man." Golden Boy Promotions' Richard Shaeffer, said, "Golden Boy, as the US based promoter for George Groves, is happy to work with Frank Warren and welcomes the addition to the promotional team. Frank has the platforms and knowledge in the UK to further George’s career while Golden Boy will continue to open opportunities for George in the US. Our combined efforts will certainly lead George to world championships and make him a star for many years to come."

Mayweather Magic at MGM Grand

2011-08-11T15:04:00.001Z

The sport of boxing has a rich history of families achieving pugilistic success as a group, be it fathers and sons, brothers (and occasionally sisters), uncles and nephews, or all of the above. Bloodlines run deep and this theme plays out in "STAR POWER: Mayweather vs. Ortiz", the September 17 mega-event which will be presented live by HBO Pay-Per-View®. The boxing extravaganza is loaded with these "fighting families," as five of the eight headlining boxers have made fighting a family affair in one way or another. The most prominent among them is the Mayweather ménage, with Floyd "Money" Mayweather front and center. Floyd's uncle, Roger, is his trainer, but Roger was also an excellent boxer in his day, winning titles at 130 and 140 pounds in the '80s, facing the legendary likes of Julio Cesar Chavez, Pernell Whitaker and Kostya Tszyu. Floyd's father, Floyd Sr., was also in "Little Floyd's" corner for several years and was a solid welterweight contender in the '70s and '80s, notably facing Sugar Ray Leonard in 1978. Then there's Floyd's uncle Jeff, who was less accomplished than his two brothers but did face an up-and-coming Oscar de la Hoya in 1993 and has gone on to become a respected trainer himself. The co-feature brings Erik Morales into focus. Like Floyd Mayweather Jr., Morales is a sure-shot for the Hall of Fame when he retires. Also like Mayweather, he comes from a family that has produced four professional fighters. "El Terrible's" father, Jose, had a brief career as a flyweight in the '70s and Erik has two brothers who entered the squared circle as professionals: Diego, who briefly held a super flyweight belt, and little brother Ivan, a currently undefeated bantamweight prospect. Morales' opponent, Lucas Matthysse, also comes from a fighting family. The Argentine knockout artist's older brother, Walter, was a feared welterweight contender who was only taken the distance by one opponent in his 32 pro fights and fought twice on HBO, against Paul Williams in 2006 and Kermit Cintron in 2007. The featured fight on the STAPLES Center segment of the event also involves two men with familial pride at stake, in Canelo Alvarez and Alfonso Gomez. Canelo has six brothers, but only three currently are competing as professionals, though none are threatening Canelo's alpha-dog status in the family as Rigoberto, Ricardo and Ramon Alvarez are all older than Canelo and, unlike their younger brother, have tasted defeat. On June 28, 2008, when Canelo defeated Miguel Vazquez, all seven Alvarez brothers fought on the same fight card, calling the historic night "The Alvarez Seven." If that wasn't enough to convince you Canelo stands apart from his brothers, then the fact that the other Alvarezes all have dark hair should tell you there's something special indeed about the carrot-topped, freckled face junior middleweight world champion who will get tested on the upcoming show by the veteran Gomez. Gomez, meanwhile, has no boxing brothers, but when he returns to the corner between rounds, the voice he hears is that of his father, Alfonso Gomez Sr. Of course, it's the Mayweathers who take center stage anytime boxing families are discussed, both because they've accomplished so much as a group and because their personalities are impossible to ignore. Family legend has it that Floyd Jr. learned to box at the same age he learned to walk. The gym was his second home as far back as he can remember and even in his first home, he was notorious for punching any inanimate object in sight, whether it was meant to be treated like a speedbag or not. Floyd's professional success has thrust the Mayweathers into the forefront of any discussion about the greatest families in boxing history. With all due respect to the Hiltons, the Chavezes, the Peñalosas, the Byrds, and any others among the 27 families that have produced multiple world titleholders, the top of the list has to boil down to the Mayweather clan and the Spinks family. Brothers Michael and Leon Spinks were both heavyweight champion of the world and Leon's son Cory was world welterweight champ. Plus Cory's brother, Darrell, was a decent club-fighter in St. Louis in the '90s. So which is the greatest multi-generational fighting family of all-time? The Mayweather crew or the Spinks clan? It's hard to say until both legacies are complete, and the Mayweathers certainly have a chance to add to theirs when Floyd takes on Victor Ortiz on September 17. In fact, five fighting families have a chance to add to their reputations on that night and it's no accident that the combatants on this card each stand out as the finest fighters their respective families have produced.

Clarke's crowning Glory

2011-08-02T10:54:00.001Z

Darren Clarke has been named The 2011 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month for July following his unforgettable victory in The 140th Open Championship.The 42 year old Northern Irishman produced a links golf masterclass at Royal St George’s in Kent to win the first Major Championship of his career by three shots from the American duo of Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson. Clarke, who receives an engraved alms dish and a jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne in honour of his achievement, catapulted back into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking and amongst the game’s elite after his overwhelmingly popular win at Sandwich.“What a very nice way to end the best month of my career,” said Clarke. “It’s always good to win a Golfer of the Month award, but this one is special because I won it on the back of winning The Open. Any award I get on the back of winning the Claret Jug will always be gratefully received!” The nature of Clarke’s first Major success made him the only realistic winner of The Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month Award for July, the first time the Northern Irishman had won the monthly award since 2003, following his triumph at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. However, the judging panel – which comprised members of the Association of Golf Writers, as well as commentators from radio and television –also acknowledged the outstanding performances of several other European Tour Members. The other notable achievers in July were home winners Thomas Levet and Alex Noren after their superb respective victories in the Alstom Open de France and Nordea Masters, World Number One Luke Donald for his Barclays Scottish Open success and Donald’s fellow Englishman Simon Dyson after his Irish Open presented by Discover Ireland triumph last weekend. Clarke joins an illustrious list of Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month winners in 2011, following Martin Kaymer (January), Donald (February and May), Paul Lawrie (March), Charl Schwartzel (April) and Rory McIlroy (June). Clarke will now join his fellow award winners to be considered for The 2011 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year Award, which was won jointly by Graeme McDowell and Kaymer in 2010.

Title shot for DeGale

2011-07-06T13:30:00.000Z

Former British Super-Middleweight Champion James DeGale will challenge for the European title in September against the champion Piotr Wilczewski from Poland. The Londoner is raring to get back into the ring following his contentious points loss to George Groves in May when he lost his British title. Wilczeski, who is ranked number three in the world by the WBO, has lost only once in 30 fights and he captured the vacant European and WBO Intercontinental titles with a an eleventh round stoppage of Amin Asikainen in March this year. "Challenging for the European title is a fantastic opportunity to get myself back in the big picture in my first fight back," said DeGale. "I've been hard in training since my last fight and I'm ready to box tomorrow if I need to, come September I'll be in great shape," "The fight with Groves is in the past, I still believe I beat him, but I'm a positive person and now I'm focused on the future and a win will put me in a great position for a world title," "My promoter Frank Warren has done a great job in getting me home advantage for this title shot and now I've got to go out there, do the business and win it in style," "In fact, I'm about to sign a new three year deal with Frank and I'm really happy that he will continue to build my career as he has done since I turned professional," "He brought Amir Khan back from a devastating knockout loss to a world title in only three fights so I know that he can do it for me." Warren said, "This is a make or break fight for James. He's got a big opportunity in front of him against Wilczewski and now has to go out there a deliver the goods and show the fans what he can do."

Donald's crafty Tree Iron

2011-07-06T10:52:00.000Z

Luke Donald’s brilliant recovery from trees during the third round of the BMW PGA Championship, a shot reminiscent of the great Seve Ballesteros, has been voted by fans as the European Tour Shot of the Month for May. The shot through a narrow gap in the trees on the 13th hole on the West Course at Wentworth Club polled more than 55% of the votes cast by fans from My European Tour, and one lucky fan who picked the winning shot wins a golf break to PGA Catalunya Resort in Spain, part of the European Tour Courses portfolio and host venue of numerous Tour events. This fantastic prize includes two rounds of golf for two people and overnight accommodation at Meliá Golf Vichy Catalan. After struggling with his driver throughout the front nine on the third day of the Tour’s flagship event, Donald had just picked up two birdies but his fight back looked to be stalling after he carved his tee shot right into the trees on the 13th. But rather than take the safe option of chipping out onto the fairway, Donald threaded the ball through a tiny gap and cut it to the back of the green, from where he managed to get up and down to save par and keep the momentum going. He then went on to win the title, and become the new World Number One, the following day when he beat Lee Westwood in a play-off. “I felt like Seve,” said Donald at the time. “I was in trees, leaves all over my back. I was dropping balls in high grass and escaping from everywhere.” Describing the shot on the 13th, he said: “It was an easy chip out and I could have played for five. And there was a decently narrow gap. The trees were about 20 yards ahead of me with probably about a six-foot gap there. “But I had a decent enough lie where I felt like I could get it through it and create some left-to-right spin on it. And I hit the shot perfectly and made a great up-and-down for four, and that kept the momentum going. Sometimes you have to take risks. That one paid off.” The winners of each Shot of the Month Award will be put forward for The European Tour Shot of the Year, won last season by Graeme McDowell for his unforgettable birdie putt on the 16th green at The Celtic Manor Resort which helped Europe regain The Ryder Cup. Donald joins the other monthly winners so far: Paul Casey (January), Alvaro Quiros (February), David Horsey (March) and Matteo Manassero (April).

McIlroy in the Spotlight

2011-07-06T10:50:00.001Z

Rory McIlroy has been named The 2011 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month for June following his devastating performance at the US Open Championship. The 22 year old Northern Irishman’s sensational eight-shot victory at the Congressional Country Club saw him post the lowest winning score (268) in the Championship’s illustrious history by an incredible four strokes as he became the youngest winner of the season’s second Major since Bobby Jones in 1923. McIlroy, who receives an engraved alms dish and a jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne for winning the Golfer of the Month award, moved to third place in The 2011 Race to Dubai and is now hot on the heels of the two men ahead of him – World Number One Luke Donald and Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel.“It is always nice to win any award for playing good golf but this Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month has to go down as an extra special one given that I won the award due to my performance at Congressional,” said McIlroy I hope this will not be the first Golfer of the Month Award I receive after winning a Major Championship!” In much the same way as his US Open victory left the rest of the field playing for second place, McIlroy similarly distanced himself from the other candidates despite a number of outstanding performances in June. Alex Noren won the SAAB Wales Open; Robert Rock captured his maiden European Tour title at the BMW Italian Open as did Matthew Zions at the SAINT OMER OPEN presented by NEUFLIZE OBC; Pablo Larrazabal overcame Sergio Garcia in a play-off for the BMW International Open; Fredrik Jacobsen won the Travellers Championship on the PGA Tour; and at the Alstom Open de France where Thomas Levet claimed the title. The judging panel – which comprises members of the Association of Golf Writers as well as commentators from radio and television – were swift to acknowledge the sheer brilliance of McIlroy’s history-making performance. McIlroy joins an illustrious list of Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month winners in 2011, following Martin Kaymer (January), Luke Donald (February and May), Paul Lawrie (March) and Charl Schwartzel (April). McIlroy will now join his fellow award winners to be considered for The 2011 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year Award, which was won jointly by Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer in 2010.

The return of Mayweather

2011-06-30T09:25:00.002Z

It's the biggest against the best and it doesn't get much better or brighter. Boxing's biggest star, undefeated Floyd "Money" Mayweather, and its newest star, WBC Welterweight World Champion "Vicious" Victor Ortiz, will align their super powers when they meet in "STAR POWER: Mayweather vs. Ortiz." The mega-fight, which will be contested for Ortiz's WBC Welterweight World Championship, will take place Saturday, Sept. 17 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. Star Power, promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, DeWALT and AT&T, falls on Mexican Independence Day weekend and is already being touted as boxing's biggest and best match-up of 2011. It's a contest of galactic proportions that will have fans worldwide waiting in a Milky Way of anticipation for one of the most intriguing and exciting fights in recent years. One of the most recognized athletes in the world today, the highly decorated Mayweather, who is undefeated as well as a six-Time and five-division world champion, announced his return via Twitter (@floydmayweather) earlier this month and is being commended for pursuing a fight against the young, hard-hitting southpaw Ortiz, 10 years his junior and undoubtedly one of his most challenging contests to date. "I am excited to get back in the ring because Victor Ortiz is a great challenge for me," said Mayweather, who will be returning to the ring after a 16-month layoff. "Ortiz is a young, fast, and very strong champion so this is not going to be easy, but I will prepare myself with the same dedication I have always had for my fights and show fans around the world that I am the best boxer in the world today. I am also looking forward to fighting on Mexican Independence Day weekend. I love all my fans and know I have a lot of Mexican fans cheering for me too." Ortiz, who captured his current WBC Welterweight title with a dazzling performance in a victory over Andre Berto April 16, said, "I have always said that I would be the first fighter to beat Floyd Mayweather and now that I have my chance, and to do it on a weekend that celebrates the independence of the Mexican people, is an amazing blessing for me. I have worked so hard to become a champion and to show the world that I am the best. I am not going to let anyone take that away from me. I'm confident that I will walk away from this fight with my belt and a new title...the first to defeat Floyd Mayweather.""The excitement surrounding Floyd's return has been amazing and is always an indication of his popularity and drawing power among fans worldwide," said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. "I wasn't surprised when Floyd said he wanted to fight Ortiz because he likes to be challenged when he fights and Victor, with the skills and heart of a young lion, is exactly that type of challenge he relishes. I have no doubt that the stars will sparkle, shine and collide in that ring on September 17 and that the sports world is going to be in for a great fight. We welcome Floyd's return as his fights are always sensational." Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, said, "The stars aligned for this true mega-fight and there is no doubt that September 17 will be the biggest boxing event of 2011 anywhere in the world. When Floyd Mayweather fights, everyone watches as he continues to set the bar for most pay-per-view buys and this fight will be no different. He is also going to be challenged by a very special talent in the young, strong and highly motivated World Champion Victor Ortiz, who knows that a win over the pound-for-pound champion will catapult him into superstardom. It's a showdown of two great champions colliding and one that I can't wait to see." "The MGM Resorts family is very excited to welcome the return of Floyd Mayweather to the MGM Grand on September 17," said Richard Sturm, president of Sports & Entertainment for MGM Resorts International. "This championship event marks Mayweather's first fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in more than 15 months and continues our tradition as the leader in the sports and entertainment industry." Mark Taffet, Senior Vice President, HBO Pay-Per-View, agreed and said, "The return of Floyd Mayweather is big news for the sport of boxing. He is a major attraction and must-see TV. Fight fans will be excited to see him put his experience, style and undefeated record on the line against the youth and punching power of the fast-rising Victor Ortiz." The undefeated, six-time world champion in five weight divisions, Floyd Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) remains boxing's biggest attraction, wowing crowds and generating tremendous box office and pay-per-view numbers each time he steps into the ring. Three of his last four fights generated more than one million pay-per-view buys, including his record-shattering bout against Oscar de la Hoya in 2007, which generated 2.44 million buys, the highest performing pay-per-view event in history. In his last ring appearance on May 1, 2010, Mayweather dismantled Sugar Shane Mosley in a lopsided unanimous decision victory. Mayweather is no stranger to fighting on the traditionally boxing rich Mexican Independence Day weekend, as prior to his sensational win over Mosley, he took on Mexican boxing star Juan Manuel Marquez on September 19, 2009, and beat his opponent in spectacular fashion. During his extraordinary career, he has amassed wins over world champions including Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. In addition to his boxing accomplishments, Mayweather has become a crossover star, appearing in HBO®'s Emmy® Award-winning reality series "24/7" four separate times, providing cameras with an all access look at his training and personal life. His name never leaves the conscience of boxing or sports fans as news of his career continues to trend worldwide, a testament to his nearly 1.3 million Twitter followers, the latest indication of a famed person's popularity. Twenty-four-year-old "Vicious" Victor Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) is the definition of a new and shining star. From a tumultuous childhood that left him in foster care at the age of 13 to a meteoric rise above obstacles to become a world champion, Ortiz's story both in and out of the ring is one to be admired. Introduced to boxing by his father at the age of seven, Ortiz and his siblings soon had to deal with life on their own after both parents abandoned them when Ortiz was 12 years old. Resilient and determined to make something of his life, Ortiz found salvation in the ring and saw boxing as a way towards future success. Ortiz's grit and determination has shown up throughout his boxing career. A highly touted amateur, he turned pro in 2004 and has persevered through its highs and lows to become the champion he is today. He is currently riding a six-fight undefeated streak including his previously mentioned sensational win over Berto. The hard-punching southpaw came of age during their 12-round battle when he sent Berto to the canvas in round one, got off the canvas himself in the second round and survived a knockdown in the sixth round only to come back to drop Berto at the end of that round in a definite Fight of the Year candidate. Ortiz, a Ventura, Calif. resident who hails from Garden City, Kansas, also holds victories over former World Champions Carlos Maussa, Nate Campbell, Vivian Harris as well as high profile opponents Antonio Diaz, Mike Arnaoutis and Jeffrey Resto. Both fighters have also agreed to drug testing under the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency protocol, which includes random blood and urine testing.

Khan and Judah Get it On

2011-06-09T10:02:00.003Z

The negotiations have settled, the social media battles are raging and on Saturday, July 23, two of boxing's best will step into the ring to unify the 140-pound weight division when rising superstar and World Boxing Association (WBA) World Champion Amir "King" Khan faces Five-Time World Champion and current International Boxing Federation (IBF) Junior Welterweight World Titleholder Zab "Super" Judah at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev. The fight will be a super lightweight world championship unification bout televised live on HBO's World Championship Boxing. The fight, which figures to be a classic match-up of two fighters with blazing speed who also punch with power and brute force, has led to a litany of questions regarding the outcome. Does Khan have enough experience to deal with a veteran such as Judah? Will Judah be able to keep pace with the younger Khan? Will each fighter be able to handle the power of the other and reach the final bell? On July 23 at Mandalay Bay, all of these questions, among others, will be answered. Khan vs. Judah, a 12-round WBA and IBF Super Lightweight World Championship Unification fight, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Main Events in association with Khan Promotions and Super Judah Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and AT&T. The HBO World Championship Boxing telecast begins at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. "I'm excited to have the opportunity to unify the 140-pound division which always has been a dream of mine," said Khan. "Fighting Zab was the toughest option my team presented to me, but a true champion is up for any challenge. I already was in training camp because it doesn't matter who I fight; I will train hard no matter who it is because I want to be the best." "I got what I wanted, so I am happy. Now it's time to go work," said Judah. "I've been praying on this fight. My goal is to be undisputed champion at two weights. I did it at 147 and I'm gonna do it at 140 starting with Amir Khan. I'm gonna work hard. I'm very experienced, so whichever way he brings the fight, I can deal with it and take it from him." "We know that boxing fans are asking for the best fights out there and we are giving the fight fans what they want with Khan vs. Judah on July 23," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "These two champions are going to leave the trash-talking behind and let their fists fly on July 23, but only one will come out as the unified 140-pound champion and we are confident that will be Amir 'King' Khan." "In the end, Zab and Main Events decided to stop quibbling about a few percentage points and get the fight into the ring. Zab's real upside will come after he wins the fight and moves on to an even bigger payday," said Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events. "It is an intriguing fight on many levels. Both fighters have engaging personalities and exciting styles. As a promoter, I couldn't be happier about this opportunity. As a fan, I can't want to see the fight!" "It is great to have Amir back fighting in the United States at Mandalay Bay in a massive unification fight against Judah who has shared the ring with the best fighters out there," said Asif Vali of Khan Promotions. "We know Amir has what it takes to accomplish his dream and unify the division and he will be ready for July." "Judah vs. Khan will be an explosive exhibition of the true definition of boxing," said Bill Halkias of Super Judah Promotions. "It's two world champion fighters who possess speed, power and all around natural boxing ability meeting in a high paced matchup that is guaranteed to quench any boxing fans thirst for excitement. The 4th of July might have been a more fitting day for this fight because without a doubt, it will be full of fireworks." "This is a great showdown between two champions who always bring excitement into the ring," said Kery Davis, senior vice president programming HBO Sports. "Both fighters are looking for a win here to prove that they'rethe top of the junior welterweight division." Amir "King" Khan (25-1, 17 KOs), who despite being only 24 years old, already is a star in the United Kingdom, selling out huge arenas and racking up impressive pay-per-view numbers. Considered one of the sport's future stars, Khan has sailed to the heights of the amateur and professional boxing worlds, however, he is far from finished on his quest to becoming the best of his era. An accomplished amateur who earned a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens at only 17 years old, the Bolton, England native took the professional game by storm in 2005 and, with the exception of a brief bump in the road in 2008 when he was upset by Breidis Prescott, Khan has since been unstoppable. A World Champion since 2009 when he defeated Andreas Kotelnik that July, Khan has defended his crown four times, first knocking out previously undefeated Dmitriy Salita in less than one round. Next, in his United States debut at Madison Square Garden in May 2010, he dominated the always tough Paul "Magic Man" Malignaggi en route to an 11th-round technical knockout win. On December 11, 2010 at Mandalay Bay, Khan battled Marcos "Chino" Maidana in what was eventually named the Boxing Writers Association of America 2010 Fight of the Year. Khan dominated the early rounds including a first-round knockdown, but Maidana closed the gap in the later rounds. Khan later displayed some extremely impressive fortitude in surviving a vicious 10th-round onslaught by Maidana in which the British star looked to be on the brink of being knocked out. However, Khan made it out of the round on his feet and came out swinging in the 11th and 12th rounds sealing the unanimous decision victory in an instant classic. In his last fight on April 16, Khan retained his title by defeating European Champion Paul "Dudey" McCloskey via technical decision in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 17,000 at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England. A win over Judah will make Khan a unified world champion and take him a step closer to becoming one of the best of his era. A native of Brooklyn, New York who now lives and trains in Las Vegas, Zab "Super" Judah (40-6, 28 KOs) established himself as one of the best boxers of his era by winning multiple world championships at 140 and 147 pounds. With wins over Cory "Next Generation" Spinks, DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley, Junior "The Hitter" Witter and Terronn "The Tramp" Millett, and having waged war with the likes of Floyd "Money" Mayweather and Miguel Cotto in what many considered 2007's Fight of the Year, the 33-year-old Judah is well aware of what it takes to win when the spotlight is shining brightest. In July of 2010, after having fought only once in nearly two years, Judah made a huge statement to the boxing world with a third-round technical knockout over former World Champion Jose Armando Santa Cruz. Employing a vicious, perfectly timed uppercut, Judah drove Santa Cruz to the canvas in the third round and wasted no time finishing him off. In his next fight on November 6, Judah faced then undefeated Argentine knockout artist Lucas Matthysse. During the fight, Judah clearly dominated the early rounds. The power-punching Argentine made a strong push in the late rounds, sending Judah to the canvas in the 10th round. The veteran Judah skillfully regrouped and scored a 12-round decision victory. On March 5 of this year, with his new trainer and former World Champion Pernell Whitaker in his corner, Judah became a Five-Time World Champion when he scored a devastating seventh-round knockout of Kaizer Mabuza to capture the IBF Junior Welterweight World Championship. Judah used slick head movement, quickness and solid footwork to frustrate the taller South African. When the seventh round began Judah exploded with a huge straight left hand that propelled Mabuza through the ropes. The referee stopped the fight shortly after Judah capitalized with a barrage of power punches that seriously hurt Mabuza. Defeating Khan will continue to set Judah up for some of the sport's most lucrative fights, and it will go a long way towards cementing him as a Hall of Famer.

Mayweather back in the Mood

2011-06-09T09:55:00.001Z

The wait is over and once again Floyd "Money" Mayweather delivers as the undefeated six-time world champion announced today via his Twitter account @floydmayweather that he will return to the ring on Saturday, September 17, to face the hard-hitting and explosive current WBC Welterweight World Champion "Vicious" Victor Ortiz in what is now the biggest international boxing event of 2011. The announcement of the fight, which will take place on Mexican Independence Day weekend, widely considered boxing's biggest weekend, sends shock waves across the sports pages as there is no denying that the younger, stronger and current champion Ortiz poses an extremely credible threat to Mayweather, who returns to the ring after a 16-month hiatus. It is a highly competitive and very dangerous match-up that will give fans a chance to see the sport's biggest star against the sport's newest star in one ring on one very special night of boxing action. "I am ready to return to the ring and give my fans a fantastic night of boxing by fighting the best out there and for me, that is Victor Ortiz," said Mayweather. "He is the current champion and an extremely talented fighter who showed amazing skills, and heart, in his last performance against Andre Berto. At this stage of my career, these are the challenges I look for, a young, strong, rising star looking to make his mark in boxing by beating me. Like the rest of my opponents, he is going to try to prove that he can beat me. I commend him for accepting the fight, but on September 17, Ortiz is just going to be another casualty, the 42nd one who tried and failed. Trust me, I will be ready." "I respect Mayweather because he has been a champion for many years and I know he will be ready, but so will I," said Ortiz. "I'm a strong fighter and I have worked really hard to silence my critics. I'm a world champion for a reason and I am not going to let go of my title any time soon. This is going to be a great fight, but I will remain a world champion for many years to come." Floyd Mayweather (41-0, 25 KO's) remains boxing's biggest attraction, wowing crowds and generating record pay-per-view numbers each time he steps into the ring. In his last ring appearance on May 1, 2010, Mayweather dismantled Sugar Shane Mosley in a lopsided unanimous decision victory. Mayweather is no stranger to fighting on Mexican Independence Day weekend either, as prior to his sensational win over Mosley, he took on Mexican boxing star Juan Manuel Marquez on September 19, 2009, beating his opponent in spectacular fashion. 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 and Ricky Hatton. Victor Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KO's) is on fire. He is riding a six-fight undefeated streak including his sensational win over Andre Berto on April 16 of this year. The hard-punching southpaw proved himself throughout their 12-round battle when he survived a knock down in the sixth round and came back to drop Berto at the end of the sixth round in one of the most exciting fights in boxing this year. Ortiz, who was already known as one of the most powerful young fighters in the sport but was questioned in the past for his desire, showed the world that his heart matches his hands of steel when faced with the best in boxing. "When Floyd fights, everyone stops to watch and this is an exciting time for boxing as it always is when Floyd steps into the ring," said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. "There is no better showman than Floyd and he backs up his legacy with amazing, one-of-a-kind skills. Victor Ortiz has shown us that he is a great fighter too and for the two of them to meet makes for a gigantic night for fans all over the world. It's always a thrill to see Floyd fight and it's even better when he faces the best out there such as a true champion like Ortiz. This is going to be a fight to remember. Sports fans have a lot to look forward to on September 17." "There is no doubt that September 17 will again be this year's biggest night of boxing worldwide," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "When Floyd Mayweather fights, it is an event which brings fight fans, sports fans and the general public together to see this truly gifted athlete perform. Every year Floyd sets the bar and standard for most pay-per-view buys and this year will be no different. In Victor Ortiz, he is facing a young, strong and highly motivated world champion who knows that a win over the pound for pound champion will catapult him into superstardom. The stage is set and I can't wait for the showdown of the year."
Mayweather vs. Ortiz is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions

Donald 's top spot in May

2011-06-05T16:22:00.001Z

Luke Donald has been named The 2011 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month for May following an astonishing sequence of success culminating with a victory in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club with which he claimed the Number One position in the Official World Golf Ranking. Donald, who receives an engraved alms dish and a jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne, finished tied fourth in the Players Championship on the US PGA Tour and runner-up in the Volvo World Match Play Championship before leading from start to finish, following an opening 64, to claim the BMW PGA Championship – The European Tour’s flagship tournament – and the €750,000first prize. In winning on the West Course with a birdie four at the first extra hole of a play-off against Lee Westwood, Donald claimed his second win on The 2011 European Tour International Schedule – he captured the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in February – and strengthened his position at the top of The Race to Dubai with €2,581,495. Ian Poulter, who won the Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin by beating Donald 2 and 1 in the final, Thomas Aiken (Open de España), Darren Clarke (Iberdrola Open) and Michael Hoey (Madeira Islands Open) were other winners during another remarkable month which closed with Westwood and Donald duelling over 73 holes for World Number One honours and seven of the top ten in the Official World Golf Ranking being European Tour Members. The judging panel – which comprised members of the Association of Golf Writers as well as commentators from radio and television – acknowledged Donald’s spectacular consistency as well as his determination to become the number one golfer in the world. Iain Carter, Golf Correspondent of BBC Radio Five Live, said: “Luke Donald is living his life on the leaderboard. He enjoyed another fabulous month, following an extraordinary run of success, and by winning the BMW PGA Championship he realised two objectives – winning a tournament he watched every year as a youngster, and to be recognised as the best golfer in the world. He has fully earned his Number One status and he is unanimously our choice of Golfer of the Month.” The 33 year old Englishman was also named The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month for February and, along with other season winners so far; Martin Kaymer (January), Paul Lawrie (March) and Charl Schwartzel (April), he will be considered for The 2011 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year Award which was won jointly by Graeme McDowell and Kaymer in 2010.

Manassero's Maybank Malaysian Magic

2011-06-03T09:32:00.001Z

Matteo Manassero has won The European Tour Shot of the Month award for April after his brilliant eagle on the final day of the Maybank Malaysian Open was voted the winner by fans of My European Tour. The young Italian holed his third shot on the par five tenth to open up a two stroke lead as he surged towards his second European Tour title, achieved two days before his 18th birthday. Having become The European Tour's youngest winner when he won in Spain last year, Manassero’s victory at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club gave him the top two positions on that list. His shot was the comfortable winner of the April Shot of the Month competition, polling almost 90% of the votes from the My European Tour fan community to claim the award ahead of Nicolas Colsaerts in the Volvo China Open and Lee Westwood in the Ballantine’s Championship. One lucky fan who picked the winning shot wins a fantastic golf break with an overnight stay at the Radisson Blu Resort Schloss Fleesensee in Germany for two people and golf at the Fleesensee Golf and Country Club, a stunning European Tour Course. The winners of each Shot of the Month Award will be put forward for The European Tour Shot of the Year, won last season by Graeme McDowell for his unforgettable birdie putt on the 16th green of The Celtic Manor Resort which helped Europe regain The Ryder Cup. Manassero joins the other monthly winners so far; Paul Casey (January), Alvaro Quiros (February) and David Horsey (March).The May Shot of the Month competition will go live shortly on My European Tour with a golf break to PGA Catalunya Resort in Spain on offer.

Kaymer is Player of the Year

2011-05-25T11:06:00.002Z

Martin Kaymer has been named by his fellow professionals as The European Tour Players’ Player of the Year for 2010, a year in which he won four times to be crowned European Number One. The 26 year old German won The European Tour Race to Dubai with record earnings following victories in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, the US PGA Championship – his first Major title – the KLM Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Those victories were the catalyst behind Kaymer being honoured at The European Tour’s Players’ Awards Dinner last night. During the star-studded event at the Sofitel Hotel at Heathrow, Kaymer was presented with a solid silver salver, which is given annually to the outstanding player as selected by the Tour Membership. Padraig Harrington was the first recipient in 2009, in recognition of his two Major Championship wins the previous year, and Lee Westwood won the approval of his peers last year following a spectacular 2009 season, which culminated in him winning the inaugural Race to Dubai. In addition to his individual feats, Kaymer played his part in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory at The Celtic Manor Resort in October, contributing two and a half points from four as Colin Montgomerie’s men edged a thrilling battle with the United States. The Challenge Tour graduate rose to a career-high third in the Official World Golf Ranking in 2010, and went on to reach World Number One in February this year, a position he subsequently relinquished to Westwood. Kaymer was named the joint European Tour Golfer of the Year for 2010, an award shared with Graeme McDowell, who finished second in The Race to Dubai, won his first Major at the US Open Championship and claimed the winning point in The Ryder Cup by defeating Hunter Mahan in the final day singles. Kaymer said: “2010 was a very special year. What I have achieved was unbelievable. And I have to thank Padraig Harrington for it. When he won the Major (The Open Championship) in 2007 and then two in 2008 he gave Europeans the belief that we could win Majors as well. It wasn’t just the Americans like Tiger Woods. “Then Graeme (McDowell) won the US Open as well. All these things gave me the motivation to work harder. All the putts Padraig holed inspired me to practise harder and it showed at the US PGA Championship, and when I made that putt on the 72nd hole it paid off. I have Padraig Harrington to thank for that inspiration. “Now I have to continue and keep working hard. After my Major win I was fortunate to keep winning, which was important for me. The expectations are high and people think you have to win every week. “But that is important for me as I want to not just win one Major but keep winning Majors and working hard, so I can look back when I am 45 or 50 and I can say I worked as hard as I could to be the best I could be. That is what I learned when I grew up, what my parents told me – the most important thing in life is to work hard. The outcome doesn’t matter as long as you try as hard as you can.”The salver, handmade by the craftsmen at the London workshop of Thomas Lyte Ltd, features a flower pattern decorating the award, denoting the national flowers of each of the countries who have a player competing on The European Tour. The centre section features the unmistakeable profile and swing of the late Severiano Ballesteros – the inspiration behind the award - accompanied by an emotive comment by John Jacobs, the founding father of The European Tour. Jacobs pays tribute to Seve’s influence on The European Tour with the phrase: “Seve’s supreme talent, flair and passion for golf inspired millions around the world.” The trophy also carries the names of all European Tour Members who have won Major Championship since the formation of the Tour in 1972.

Haye tips Groves to be a Star

2011-05-25T11:04:00.001Z

WBA world heavyweight champion David 'The Hayemaker' Haye has tipped stable-mate George Groves to emulate his own ring exploits and claim a world title in 2012, following 'The Saint's stunning British and Commonwealth title victory on Saturday night (May 21). The 23-year-old Groves smartly outboxed Olympic gold medallist James DeGale in front of 15,000 fans at London's O2 Arena, and interested observer Haye believes the double domestic champion is only just getting started. “George proved a lot of people wrong on Saturday night, but his performance was no surprise to me or his trainer Adam Booth,” said Haye. “We've always believed George has the style, intelligence and ability to get the better of James, and that's what played out at the weekend. George boxed beautifully at times and was giving DeGale problems he had yet to encounter as a professional or amateur.” The 30-year-old Haye added: “George never made any crazy claims or boasts before the fight, and always remained quietly confident and humble. As a result, people warmed to him and got behind him on the night. It was an incredible feeling to walk with George towards the ring at the O2 Arena and hear the cheers of over 15,000 fans. The whole atmosphere felt like a world title fight between two experienced champions.“It's easy to forget that George is a British and Commonwealth champion with only 13 pro bouts to his name. If Saturday night was a sign of things to come, George can look forward to many more packed out nights in big arenas. That fight alone has made him an overnight star.”Despite inevitable calls for a rematch, DeGale's plans were this morning scuppered by British Boxing Board of Control Secretary Robert Smith, who told Gareth A. Davies of the Daily Telegraph, “An immediate re-match is out of the question. The Board will not be ordering a re-match. There was nothing controversial or contentious about it. No one broke any rules. Why would the Board order a re-match?” Though he has no doubt his training partner would once again defeat DeGale in any return, Haye would like to now see Groves spread his wings and escape the bitter ten-year rivalry that helped build Saturday's battle into a pay-per-view event.“George has the world at his feet right now, and has that perfect combination of ability, likeability and titles,” said Haye. “DeGale might claim the first of those three things, but he's lacking the other two. “We all saw and heard how those 15,000 fans inside the O2 Arena reacted when George was announced the deserved winner. It reminded me of some of the big Ricky Hatton boxing nights at the M.E.N Arena. Also, twenty-four hours after his win, George's Twitter account (@StGeorgeGroves) had increased by over 10,000 followers. That just goes to show how the British public have taken a shine to him. “I truly believe that now George has established himself as the best super-middleweight on the domestic scene he can go on and become one of the most popular and successful British fighters of the next era.”

Schwartzel honoured in April

2011-05-05T16:05:00.001Z

Charl Schwartzel has been named The 2011 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month for April following his outstanding triumph in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National, Georgia. Schwartzel, who receives an engraved alms dish and a jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne, completed a unique “Grand Slam” of Major Championships for European Tour Members following the 2010 treble by Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell (US Open), South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen (The Open Championship) and Germany’s Martin Kaymer (US PGA Championship). Furthermore Schwartzel’s success – the third by a South African in the Masters Tournament following Gary Player and Trevor Immelman – was achieved during a phenomenal month for European Tour Members. England’s Lee Westwood regained and maintained his World Number One status with back-to-back wins in the Indonesian Masters and Ballantine’s Championship; Italy’s Matteo Manassero captured his second European Tour title by winning the Maybank Malaysian Open two days before his 18th birthday; and Nicolas Colsaerts became only the second Belgium winner on The European Tour with his breakthrough win in the Volvo China Open. Schwartzel, who dedicated his Masters victory to his father, George, because “I owe him so much,” recalled: “I caddied for my Dad two days a week and played golf with him every Friday. That’s how it started. He taught me my golf swing. He taught me from the word go the right grip, stance, rhythm, posture and balance. It was a fantastic week; a fantastic month.” The judging panel, which comprised members of the Association of Golf Writers as well as commentators from radio and television, acknowledged Schwartzel’s four-birdie finish for a closing best of the day 66 and a winning 14-under par total of 274 and also praised Luke Donald’s tied fourth place finish at the Masters followed by his runners-up finish in The Heritage tournament on the PGA Tour where he was a finger-touch away from going to Number One in the Official World Golf Ranking. Schwartzel is the fourth monthly winner of 2011 – the 26-year-old from Johannesburg joining Martin Kaymer (January), Luke Donald (February) and Scotland’s Paul Lawrie (March). All the monthly winners will be considered for The 2011 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year Award which was won jointly by Kaymer and McDowell in 2010.

DeGale and Groves Blast from the Past

2011-05-05T16:03:00.001Z

James DeGale and George Groves returned to their former amateur gym today ahead of their big May 21 clash at The O2, London. The pair will meet in a mouth-watering British and Commonwealth super-middleweight title showdown, live on Sky Box Office.But on Thursday morning they took a stroll down memory lane when they held a press conference at Dale Youth ABC. It was at the west London gym that the pair initially became friends - before falling out spectactularly. Groves famously beat DeGale as an amateur. But his big rival went on to lift the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in China. Now in just two weeks time the public will finally find out who really is the best. "It all came flooding back when I walked through the doors again," said DeGale. "All the blood, sweat and tears that it took for me to win that Olympic medal. "It also reminded me of just why I don't like George Groves. "He was jealous of me as an amateur and he has been jealous of me ever since I turned professional. "He thought he was going to the golden boy of British boxing, but he had to watch me get the glory instead. "I used to play with him sparring here, and I'll play with him when we meet on May 21." But Groves hit back by saying: "James knows that I can beat him, and that makes me a very dangerous opponent. "He's a good fighter but I'm winning the mental war ahead of this fight. "I've got the pyschological edge over him. I can see he's worried. I spent so much time around him as an amateur that I can read him like a book. "And he is in for a very painful chapter of his life at the O2."

Froch forges links with Matchroom

2011-05-04T13:21:00.000Z

Matchroom Sport are delighted to announce that Carl ‘The Cobra’ Froch has signed a five-fight promotional deal. The WBC Super-Middleweight champion spoke with both Barry and Eddie Hearn earlier this month and the work starts straight away with Froch heading to the States to fight Glen Johnson on June 4 in the semi-final of the Super Six in Atlantic City. The 33 year-old Nottingham star has wowed fight fans with his stunning performances against Jean Pascal, Jermaine Taylor, Andre Dirrell and Arthur Abraham, and now he plans to become a household name after years of frustration in the shadows.“I’m so excited to be working with Matchroom,” said Froch. “When you are fighting at your peak it’s about raising your profile and securing TV time and that's where I am. When you sit down with Barry and Eddie, you can tell they have the power and the resources to maximise your potential so I'm really excited about the rest of my career. “The thing that stood out was their straight-talking approach and obviously their great reputation not just in boxing but in sport. They have Darren Barker on board who is a good friend of mine and Rob McCracken told me to sit down and listen to Eddie – I listen to Rob and that made the decision simple. Eddie brings big things to the table and is able to promote me in a way that will get me the exposure that I deserve and crave – I've fulfilled my end of the bargain, I leave everything in the ring when I fight. “I still have a dream to fight at the City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest – I was promised that year with Mikkel Kessler but it ended up happening in Denmark. If I'd gone into the meeting with Eddie and Barry then I believe that fight would've happened at the City Ground and it would've been a momentous occasion for myself, for the club, the city and for British boxing. But now we'll look forward and say, why can't it happen? When the Super Six is over and with Matchroom behind me, I know the dream can become a reality. I'm not fighting now for the riches - I'm World Champion, I've lost the title then won it back, I'm doing OK financially and there's a couple of big fights out there for me and it could happen at the City Ground. Joe Calzaghe keeps being mentioned and who knows, something tells me he could come out of retirement, stranger things have happened, and what a fight that would be.” “It is an absolute honour to be representing Carl,” said Matchroom Sport’s managing director Eddie Hearn. “When you look at what he has achieved in this sport, he already has to go down as one of the greatest fighters Britain has ever produced and it's time he starting getting the exposure he deserves. You only have to watch his fights back to see just how exciting he is and if we are going to continue to grow this sport in this country, then the public need to see icons like Carl entertain. We are going to raise his profile through the roof in the UK and after the Super Six he will come home to the welcome he so deserves.” The deal sees Froch complete the Super Six series – fighting Johnson and then a possible final later this year against either Andre Ward or Arthur Abraham – and then three more fights, although Froch would not rule out extending his career, saying he is “in the shape of his life”. “If I was trying to be realistic now I'd say five more fights,” said Froch. “I've got this fight with Glen Johnson then the Super Six final providing I do the business against Johnson – then after that, maybe three more, but then again, maybe five more, let's see how we go. There's no reason why it can't be seven actually, get the Super Six out of the way then have five proper big fights, World Championship fights here in Britain.” Froch completes a hat-trick of formidable recent signings for Matchroom, with recently crowned European Middleweight Champion Darren Barker and Britain’s hottest young talent, Sheffield Welterweight Kell Brook. That trio was added to recent World title challenger Paul McCloskey and forthcoming European title challenger Gavin Rees, and the latest recruit has his sights set on a massive show involving the hot new stable. “A pay-per-view event at the City Ground with me topping the bill is not just a pipedream now I’m with Matchroom – and an undercard headed by my stable-mates Darren Barker and Kell Brook who would be fighting for big titles is a real possibility,” said Froch. Eddie Hearn added: “Darren, Kell, Paul and Gavin are on the verge of World title shots so who could rule out a super show in the near future? We have had tremendous interest from a number of fighters looking to join the Matchroom and I'm delighted with the team we have put together. We won't rest until we get them what they deserve.”

Westwood back on Top

2011-05-03T10:47:00.000Z

World Number One Lee Westwood has his eyes firmly focused on his ‘fifth Major’ at the BMW PGA Championship. The 38 year old Englishman will be among the star attractions at Wentworth Club from May 26-29, along with World Number Two Martin Kaymer and Number Three Luke Donald. For Westwood, the BMW PGA Championship represents the biggest prize in the game outside golf’s four grand slam events, and he would like nothing more than to take home The European Tour’s flagship title, an honour that has eluded him thus far in his glittering career of more than 30 international tournament victories, including the last two weeks in Indonesia and Korea. “The BMW PGA Championship is the biggest title that I play for outside of the Majors. It’s bigger than the World Golf Championships because of what the tournament represents for us as The European Tour,” said Westwood, who followed up his victory in the Indonesian Open by capturing the Ballantine’s Championship for his 21st European Tour success. “It’s the Tour’s showcase event and obviously I’d love to win – it is always a great event to play in and it would be nice to win a BMW tournament for the first time and it is certainly a high priority for me in any season.” Kaymer, meanwhile, is hoping to add a second BMW title to his burgeoning CV, having secured his second European Tour victory at the 2008 BMW International Open before going on to secure a further seven European Tour titles, including his first Major at last year’s US PGA Championship. The German, who dethroned Westwood from his Number One position in February, only to lose out himself to the same player nine days ago, said: “It is definitely one of my goals to win the BMW PGA Championship. “To win another BMW tournament would be fantastic and especially at Wentworth. I always like to play there. It is a very important tournament so it’s always a privilege to come here. It would be fantastic to raise the trophy.” Donald, meanwhile, is enjoying one of the most successful periods of his career having won the WGC – Accenture Match Play in February and putting together an exceptional run of form that has taken him to within touching distance of Westwood’s World Number One crown. The Englishman almost won the BMW PGA Championship last year but had to settle for a tie for second place after almost holing his pitching wedge approach to the West Course’s 18th hole for an eagle that would have taken eventual winner Simon Khan into a sudden-death play-off. “It would be very nice to go one better at the BMW PGA Championship this year,” said Donald. “I ran Simon pretty close last year and have always loved coming home to play at Wentworth. It’s a very special week for me because I get to see so many friends and family back home, so to win The European Tour’s biggest event back in England would be very special.”

World number One targets Wentworth

2011-04-20T16:00:00.003Z

World Number One Martin Kaymer basked in the glorious sunshine of Wentworth Club today and admitted he has set his sights on adding next month’s BMW PGA Championship to his already impressive list of career victories. The 26 year old reigning US PGA Champion and 2010 Race to Dubai winner will be part of a galaxy of golfing stars who will tee up on the West Course at the famous Surrey venue for the flagship event on The European Tour International Schedule from May 26 to 29. With just over a month to go to the championship, Kaymer paid a visit to Wentworth Club to take part in a wide-ranging multi-media day to promote the tournament, which will also feature the three other current Major Champions; Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel as well as the entire winning European Ryder Cup team and captain Colin Montgomerie reunited on British soil for the first time since their memorable victory in Wales last October. Kaymer began the day with a 15 minute question and answer session in the Wentworth Club’s ballroom in front of an array of journalists from newspapers and magazines, before undertaking a range of live and recorded radio and television interviews over the next three hours with stations from both the United Kingdom and his native Germany. “I just love it here,” said the nine time European Tour champion who captured the BMW International Open title in his native Germany in 2008 and who moved to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time at the end of February. “The whole place is so classy and the whole of Wentworth has a wonderful feel to it. “It is definitely one of my goals to win at Wentworth and, seeing the course like it is today, I can definitely envisage myself walking up the 18th fairway on the Sunday to get my hands on the trophy. I have always enjoyed coming here – in fact I used to watch the tournament on television and it was always a fantastic field. “My first time playing here was in 2007 and I was sitting on the putting green and I called my brother and said ‘You know where I am right now?’ It was such a huge thing for me and a very important tournament so it’s always a privilege to come here. It would be fantastic to win.” Asked what the key is to playing well over Wentworth’s iconic West Course, Kaymer replied: “I know there have been some changes to the eighth and 18th holes, but for me it’s always the same: give yourself chances. That’s what I try to do. I don’t think it’s too difficult to have chances. It’s a pretty straightforward golf course but one of the best we have in Europe. I’ve just got to get myself into contention for Saturday and Sunday and hope to get close.” Kaymer admitted the overall strength of the field which will assemble at Wentworth Club next month is a perfect illustration of the new world order in golf. “You can see The European Tour has grown so much,” he said. “The last five or six years have been incredible and it’s a very good feeling to be part of it and be associated with The European Tour. The Ryder Cup is a fantastic example. We could have had two teams and had a good chance to win with both.” The German also admitted that he believed the future of European golf is in safe hands with the emergence of young players such as Rory McIlroy and Matteo Manassero, who won his second Tour title last weekend in the Maybank Malaysian Open.He said: “First of all I think what Matteo does and what he did last week in Malaysia, the way he won the tournament, was very impressive for such a young guy. You see the young guys like Matteo and Rory and it’s fantastic to see the future. I will play against those guys for the next ten to 15 years. It’s nice to have the new generation coming up.” As for his own game, Kaymer revealed he is still getting used to being called the World Number One. “It’s a good feeling, for sure,” he said. “The first couple of weeks it was very weird, because the Number One was always Tiger Woods and when I turned professional I never really thought I’d become World Number One, to be honest. “After the Match Play in America when I became Number One, my brother called me and asked if he could come over to Phoenix for a few days to practise and hang out. So he came over with a friend of ours and we played some golf. Then on Tuesday he said we have to go to the airport again. I said ‘What, are you flying out again?’, and he said ‘No, it’s a surprise’. “So we got to the airport and my dad showed up as well. He just came over for 24 hours. I asked him why he was there and he said he just wanted to congratulate me for being World Number One. He said he didn’t know when he’d see me next and if I would still be Number One by then, so he just wanted to take the opportunity to say congratulations. That’s how my dad is – it meant a lot. “That evening we all went to a steakhouse for dinner and they brought this dessert out. We hadn’t ordered anything but on the plate it said ‘Congratulations World Number One’. It was that night that I started to realise how big it is and how cool the feeling is.”

Haye and Klitchsko collide in Germany

2011-04-20T15:10:00.000Z

World heavyweight champions David 'The Hayemaker' Haye and Wladimir Klitschko will officially collide and attempt to unify WBA/IBF/WBO and IBO championships on Saturday, July 2nd at the 57,000-capacity Imtech Arena in Hamburg, Germany. The hard-hitting heavyweights have eyed up one another for the best part of three years now, and today's confirmation finally pairs them together in the hope of bringing clarity to boxing's marquee division. “It's great to finally find out the date and venue,” said WBA titleholder Haye, 25-1 (23 KO) in his professional career. “I've been training for this fight since the end of 2010 and it's nice to now have a concrete date to work towards. “Hamburg is an accessible city for a lot of British fans, so I'm expecting a huge turnout for what is undoubtedly the biggest boxing event of the year. We're going to have an army of Brits invading Germany on July 2nd and I can't wait to sample the atmosphere. “I think every city in mainland Europe and beyond wanted to stage this fight, and that shows just what an appealing event it is. Personally, I wasn't bothered where the fight ended up. I'd fight Wladimir anywhere, so long as the location comes with a ring and a referee that can count to ten. By the time I've finished with Wladimir, he won't know where he is anyway.” The 30-year-old Haye secured his WBA belt in November 2009, when he trekked to Nuremberg, Germany to topple 7'2 Russian behemoth Nikolay Valuev. 'The Hayemaker' then successfully defended the crown twice in 2010, defeating both John Ruiz and Audley Harrison within the scheduled distance. The 35-year-old Klitschko, meanwhile, first won the WBO version of the title in October 2000, and has enjoyed two stints as champion of that particular organisation. Nicknamed 'Dr. Steelhammer', Klitschko, 55-3 (49 KO), has also grabbed IBF and IBO belts along the way and most recently knocked out Samuel Peter to retain all three. “I've said from day one that I am Wladimir's toughest opponent to date, and I stand by that,” said Haye. “Wladimir has a history of being knocked out by fast punchers, and I punch faster than every other heavyweight in the world. I'm also dedicated, disciplined and ambitious, unlike many of Klitschko's previous opponents. “Corrie Sanders' mind was on the putting green, and he still managed to knock Wladimir out with a left hand. I've got no doubt Wladimir will freeze like an iceberg when I hit him on the chin in Hamburg. He won't know how to react, will panic, attempt to run for cover and then realise big brother Vitali is in the corner mopping up tears with a white towel.”

Horsey's Hole in One

2011-04-20T11:55:00.000Z

David Horsey’s spectacular hole-in-one in the final round of the Trophée Hassan II has been voted by fans as The European Tour Shot of the Month for March. It is the second successive month that a hole-in-one has been voted as the Shot of the Month following Alvaro Quiros’ similar feat in the Dubai Desert Classic and, like Quiros’ ace, Horsey’s perfect shot propelled him to victory. Tied for the lead heading into the final round at Golf du Palais Royal in Agadir, Morocco, Horsey birdied the first hole before sending his five iron tee shot on the second straight into the cup from 180 yards.In the blink of an eye he was three shots clear, and while he was pegged back as the final round unfolded, the Englishman prevailed in a play-off against the defending champion Rhys Davies of Wales and Jaco Van Zyl of South Africa to claim his second European Tour title. Horsey’s ace polled more than 45% of the votes cast by fans on My European Tour, narrowly beating Kenneth Ferrie’s audacious attempt at the first 59 in European Tour history into second place.Ferrie was enjoying the round of his life on day three of the Open de Andalucia de Golf by Turkish Airlines, but his attempt to become the first player to break the 60 barrier on The European Tour looked to be well and truly over when he found trouble off the tee on the last. Needing to hole his second shot, Ferrie conjured an incredible recovery from the rough, hitting a six iron shot over the trees which came within a whisker of dropping into the hole and making history.Raphaël Jacquelin’s shot to the fifth hole during the final round of the Sicilian Open at Donnafugata Golf Resort and Spa claimed third place in the monthly competition, his beautiful approach stopping inches from the cup to set up a birdie which helped carry the Frenchman to his third European Tour title. For one lucky fan who voted for Horsey’s ace, a fantastic golfing break to Estonia beckons with a two-night stay in a golf villa at the stunning Estonian Golf & Country Club, plus unlimited golf on both the Stone and Sea Courses during the stay. Estonian Golf & Country Club is a European Tour Course, and the official venue of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup European Qualifier in 2009 and 2011. Regarded as Estonia’s finest golfing venue, it has taken its rightful place in Golf World Magazine’s prestigious Top 100 European Courses, a spectacular achievement for a venue in an emerging golf nation. The winners of each Shot of the Month Award will be put forward for The European Tour Shot of the Year, won last season by Graeme McDowell for his unforgettable birdie putt on the 16th green of The Celtic Manor Resort which helped Europe regain The Ryder Cup. The monthly winners so far are Paul Casey (January) and Alvaro Quiros (February).

Harrington and Garcia's China Adventure

2011-04-20T11:52:00.000Z

Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia showed the kind of soft touch that is so important around the greens when they cuddled one of the world’s most endangered animals, a Giant Panda cub, ahead of this week’s Volvo China Open. The European Tour stars and Ryder Cup teammates visited Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where they held Ya Yun, a seven month-old cub which is part of the largest captive born Giant Panda population in the world. Three-time Major winner Harrington is using his trip to China for a family holiday and was accompanied by his wife Caroline and children Patrick and Ciaran, who also had the rare opportunity to look after Ya Yun.“As a family we wanted to take in some of the fantastic culture of China before I play the Volvo China Open,” said the Irishman. “We did the Great Wall, the Teracotta Warriors, the Forbidden City and now the Giant Pandas and for the whole family it has been the highlight of what has been a great break before I get down to the serious business of trying to win China’s national open golf championship.” The Volvo China Open is being played at Luxehills International Country Club in Chengdu for the first time, with Y E Yang, the man who succeeded Harrington as US PGA Champion in 2009, defending his title. Chengdu is renowned as the home of the Giant Panda and Spaniard Garcia, who last European Tour victory came on Chinese soil in the 2009 HSBC Champions in Shanghai, also took time out to visit the world renowned breeding centre. Garcia said: “I have come over with my brother Victor Jnr and it is a great thrill and a privilege to be allowed to get so close to Ya Yun who was just amazing.” Per Ericsson, President of Volvo Event Management, said: “Volvo is renowned for looking after the players and we were just so pleased that we were able to arrange for Sergio and Padraig, and especially Pádraig’s kids, to experience something they will remember for the rest of their lives. “But there is a very serious dimension to the visit, which is closely associated with Volvo’s passion for and commitment to Environmental Care. The Giant Pandas are endangered as a species, so we are also highlighting the work of the breeding project.”

Three fights in Three Continents

2011-04-20T11:49:00.000Z

This past weekend was an unforgettable one for the Golden Boy Promotions team, as three of its world-class athletes competed in three world championship bouts on three continents, with Amir Khan, Victor Ortiz and Chris John all emerging victorious with world championship belts strapped around their waists."What a great weekend," said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions."When the pressure was on, Amir, Victor and Chris stepped up and showed why they're World Champions today. I'm proud of them and I can't wait to see what's next for each one." "On behalf of the company and myself, we would like to congratulate this trio of World Champions for their spectacular performances this past weekend," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "This was a night to remember on all counts, and there will be more great nights from each of these fighters in the months and years to come." It was a successful homecoming on Saturday night at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, as England's own Amir "King" Khan (25-1, 17 KO's) fought on home soil for the first time since 2009, winning a six-round technical decision over previously unbeaten Irishman Paul "Dudey" McCloskey. There were over 17,000 fans packed inside the building chanting and supporting Khan as he successful defended his WBA Super Lightweight World Title when the fight went to the scorecards following the referee stopping the fight because of a cut suffered by McCloskey from an accidental head butt. "It was great getting to fight back at home in the U.K. and I'd like to thank all my fans for their support," said Khan. "McCloskey was unbeaten for a reason and he fought hard to stay that way, but I showed I was the better fighter on Saturday night. Now I'm ready for the big names and mega fights, the question is; are they ready for me?" When the fight ended in Manchester on Saturday afternoon here in the States, this unforgettable weekend wasn't over yet, as "Vicious" Victor Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KO's) put on a career-defining performance against unbeaten WBC Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto at the MGM Grand Theatre at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The young star rose from two knockdowns and scored two knockdowns of his own en route to a 12-round unanimous decision win over Berto. The stirring victory, which is being heralded by many as an early Fight of the Year candidate, earned Ortiz the WBC title (the first of his career) and proved to the world that he belongs in any conversation about the sport's toughest and most exciting young stars. "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time and just when everyone counted me out, I proved them wrong," said Ortiz. "I knew I was going to be a World Champion and Saturday night my dream came true. Now I'm going to be even more hungry, so bring on the big fights, because I'm ready for them." Finally, rounding out the world championship weekend, on Sunday at the Jakarta International Expo in Jakarta, Indonesia, local hero Chris "Dragon" John retained his WBA Featherweight World Title for the 14th time, pounding out a unanimous 12-round decision over ultra-tough countryman Daud Yordan. The toe-to-toe battle was exciting from start to finish, but John as he has been doing since 2003, John successfully defend his title and left with his hands raised in victory maintaining his staus as boxing's longest reigning World Champion. "Daud Yordan is a great fighter and I'm proud to have shared the ring with him," said John, who remained unbeaten at an amazing 45-0-2 (22 KO's). "It was a tough fight, but my experience at this level made the difference and I'm looking forward to more big fights in 2011."

Murray matched with Mitchell

2011-04-20T11:48:00.000Z

Hot on the heels of DeGale V Groves, Promoter Frank Warren will follow it up with yet another mouth-watering domestic showdown that the whole country wants to see - John Murray versus Kevin Mitchell. The two best Lightweights in the country have now both signed up for a summer showdown with London expected to play host. Former British, Commonwealth and European Champion Murray, 31-0-0 (18), boasts the longest unbeaten run in British Boxing and sees Mitchell as the last hurdle in his quest to challenge for a world title challenge. Essex man Mitchell, 31-1-0 (23), sees Mancunian rival as his ticket back to the big time after his disappointment at Upton Park and knows another defeat could end his own world title aspirations. Murray said today; "I thought Mitchell had bottled it once and for all when he turned down the opportunity to fight me last month, but I am glad he has finally put pen to paper as this fight has been a long time coming and, apart from the world title, this is the only meaningful challenge left for me in the UK." Dagenham's Mitchell, himself a former British and Commonwealth Champion, said today; "Murray's done well but he hasn't faced me yet and, if he had, we wouldn't keep hearing about his unbeaten record, I was 31-0 too with more stoppages than him, until I lost out in my 32nd fight which he will too. Personally, I hope this fight takes place in the East End so I can show my legions of fans that last year was a one off an Kevin Mitchell is back. The date, and the site of the fight will be announced soon and a sell-out is expected for the North v South showdown. Promoter Frank Warren added; "Like DeGale V Groves this is another fantastic fight that I am so pleased to be able to stage this summer. Finally the big fights are being made and like the winner DeGale V Groves, the winner can look forward to a world title challenge in the new season. This is a real 50/50 match and I salute both guys for signing up for it. I am working on a date and venue for the show and hope to announce this and, of course, a top quality undercard very soon."

Manassero rises to the Challenge

2011-04-18T14:22:00.001Z

He has already achieved more than most golfers aspire to across their whole career but today, two days after winning his second European Tour title, Matteo Manassero celebrates becoming a man. Manassero will toast his 18th birthday with his family and friends in Verona on Tuesday April 19 after giving himself the best possible present – victory in the Maybank Malaysian Open. The Italian became the youngest champion in the history of The European Tour when he won the CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar in October 2010 at the tender age of just 17 years and 188 days. He went on to be named the 2010 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year after finishing 31st on The Race to Dubai, and then on Sunday, aged 17 years and 363 days, Manassero put the icing on the cake of a remarkable first 11 months as a professional by triumphing in Kuala Lumpur. That victory, in just his 28th European Tour event, meant he is also second in the list of youngest European Tour winners but, more significantly, also moved him into the Top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time, in 35th position. With that comes a place in the three remaining Major Championships, after just missing out on the Masters Tournament last month, but for the time being Manassero is simply concentrating on celebrating both his victory and his coming of age. “It’s a big thing in anyone’s life turning 18,” he said. “You get your car, you get your bank account and everything else that comes with it. It will be a big difference for me travelling. “It’s been difficult travelling and only being 17. You can be alone sometimes which isn’t easy but the actual travelling isn’t too difficult. My mum and dad sometimes travel with me – they like to see these places too – if not my physio comes once a month or my coach, Alberto Binaghi, so pretty much someone always comes with me. It’s nice to have someone to spend time with. I enjoy travelling. I like seeing new places. “So it will be nice to turn 18 but I’m not making a big deal out of it. It’s just a birthday. My 18th is obviously a special one but I’m not one for partying. I’m going to spend it with my friends and family and have a nice dinner. That will be fun. “I couldn’t imagine anything better – going back home to celebrate my 18th birthday and my second victory on The European Tour. It’s great to be able to celebrate both together. I don’t want to make too much fuss though. Something small.” Such an unassuming and grounded nature has become the trademark of a teenager who has a maturity beyond his years and a youthful talent that is already drawing comparisons with his idol Seve Ballesteros, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods at a similar age. Born on 19th April 1993 in Verona, Manassero first picked up a club at just three years old. Like early footage of 14 time Major Champion Woods, it was immediately clear that golf was in his blood and a rare talent was innate. Manassero first nudged the attention of the wider golfing world when aged 16 years and 63 days he became the youngest winner of the Amateur Championship in 2009. That honour earned him a place in the Masters Tournament, where he became the youngest player to make the cut, and prior to that The Open Championship, where he played the first two rounds alongside Sergio Garcia and the legendary Tom Watson, who went on to lose to Stewart Cink in a play-off at Turnberry. Manassero, meanwhile, finished a remarkable tied 13th at just 16 years and 92 day, taking the Silver Medal as the lowest amateur. “Winning the Amateur Championship was massive,” he recalled. “It changed everything. I got the chance to play in The Open and the Masters, two of the biggest tournaments, which really changed my life in terms of making it as a professional. “The Open was a great experience. To play with Tom Watson and Sergio on the first two days was fantastic. It was probably my second professional tournament as an amateur so it was a big deal for me. “Fortunately I had Alberto on the bag which kept me quiet. I just kept going and kept going and played well every day. Playing with Tom was really special. He has a great history in the game. You can learn so much from him. He spoke to me and made me feel good. He was very kind. He’s been playing tournaments for more than 40 years and every time he is nice to everybody. That is something I learned from him.”
Manassero made his professional debut in May 2010 at the BMW Italian Open aged 17 years and 17 days and promptly became the youngest professional to make a European Tour cut, going on to finish 29th. After playing in a handful of European Challenge Tour events, including finishing runner up in the Rolex Trophy, Manassero was third in the Omega European Masters in Switzerland before his making history in Spain when he broke Danny Lee’s record as youngest Tour winner by more than a year. He also shaved a record held by his idol Ballesteros, as the youngest full European Tour Member by 12 days. “Your first win is a great achievement and something you always remember,” he recalled. “You don’t really know when it is going to come so it is a tense moment. That helped me manage the pressure in Malaysia. “I wasn’t as nervous on Sunday as I felt in Spain. Every single win helps you grow as a player. The first one helps you maybe more than the other ones. They were different victories. That first one was by four shots, my second was tight from the start to the finish but the feeling is the same because there is so much competition and many, many good players. So both had the same pleasure.” With so much success and so many records already under his belt, the future would certainly seem bright for Manassero. Yet, typically, he is modest and understated in his assessment of the where his career will take him. “To get in the top 50 in the world is a great achievement after just 11 months of professional golf,” he said. “It gets me into the Majors – I just missed Augusta but playing the other three will be fantastic. I’m really proud of that and the next target will be winning another tournament and keeping the momentum going. It’s going well and we’ll see what happens.”

Major winners head to the West course

2011-04-12T10:21:00.000Z

The BMW PGA Championship will make golfing history next month when, for the first time, the current holders of all four Major Championships will tee up in the flagship event on The European Tour International Schedule. It is the first time that all of golf’s Major men have been European Tour Members and the quartet of champions – Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel – will all participate at Wentworth Club from May 26-29. The final piece of the European Tour Members Grand Slam was completed at Augusta National on Sunday night, when Schwartzel claimed his first Major title at the end of a truly absorbing and thrilling Masters Tournament. The 26 year old started the day four shots off the lead but a stirring final round 66, which featured birdies at each of the closing four holes, saw him win by two shots from the Australian duo of Jason Day and Adam Scott to become only the third South African golfer after Gary Player and Trevor Immelman to own a Green Jacket. “Winning at Augusta was a dream come true and, without question, the highlight of my career, and I am really looking forward to coming to Wentworth next month as the Masters champion,” said Schwartzel. “I finished tied sixth in the tournament in 2009 and in the top 20 last year, so it is obviously a tournament and a golf course that I really like. It goes without saying that I will be trying my best to add the BMW PGA Championship trophy to my Green Jacket.” Schwartzel’s fellow countryman Oosthuizen will look, on the West Course, to reproduce the sort of form he showed at St Andrews last July, when he won The Open Championship by an astounding seven shot margin, and the duo will spearhead the nation’s attempt to become the BMW PGA Championship’s first South African winner. Kaymer, who has already won on The European Tour this season at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, finished in the top 20 in both 2008 and 2009 at Wentworth Club. The current World Number One will also be able to draw on the experience he gained at Whistling Straits last August, when he came through a nail-biting play-off to win the US PGA Championship, as he tries to add the BMW PGA Championship to the BMW International Open title he won in Munich in 2008. McDowell did not need extra holes to win his first Major title, in the US Open Championship at Pebble Beach last June, and he will begin his preparations for his title defence at Congressional three weeks later with his own tilt at the BMW PGA Championship title, a tournament where he finished tied for 13th in 2009. McDowell and Kaymer, of course, will also be part of the 12-strong winning European Ryder Cup Team who will be reunited on British soil at the BMW PGA Championship for the first time since their memorable 14 ½ - 13 ½ triumph over the United Stated at The Celtic Manor Resort last October. BMW PGA Championship Director Jamie Birkmyre admitted he was delighted with the way the field for the tournament was shaping up. “The BMW PGA Championship has always delivered the best in golf and this year, with the holders of all four Major Championships teeing up for the first time, I can guarantee that the thousands of spectators who will come to Wentworth this year will be in for a true golfing treat,” he said. “All of us who follow The European Tour were thrilled when Graeme, Louis, Martin and now Charl became Major champions for the first time, and they know they will all be accorded a hero’s welcome when they tee up on the West Course.”

Lawrie back in the Fold

2011-04-07T16:08:00.001Z

Scotland’s Paul Lawrie has been named The European Tour Golfer of the Month for March following his fine victory in the Open de Andalucia de Golf by Turkish Airlines. The one shot triumph at Parador de Malaga Golf – for which he received an engraved alms dish and a jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne – was the 42 year old Scot’s sixth European Tour title but his first for over eight years since he claimed The Celtic Manor Wales Open in the summer of 2002. It was also the second time in his career that Lawrie has won a European Tour Golfer of the Month Award, the first one coming in July 1999 following his memorable Open Championship triumph at Carnoustie. He also won The European Tour Shot of the Year in 2001 for his holed putt from the Valley of Sin in front of the 18th green at St Andrews which helped him win the Dunhill Links Championship. “First and foremost I was thrilled to win in Andalucia as it was great to get back in the winners’ circle on The European Tour,” said Lawrie. “But I was equally delighted with the news I had won the Golfer of the Month Award. It is always gratifying to be recognised for your achievements and this has put the icing on the cake for March for me.” The judging panel, which comprised members of the Association of Golf Writers as well as commentators from radio and television, also considered several other contenders for the award from a fine month’s golf. Particularly praised was Frenchman Raphaël Jacquelin for his victory in the inaugural Sicilian Open and Englishman David Horsey who held his nerve to beat defending champion Rhys Davies and Jaco Van Zyl to triumph in the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco. The panel also recognised the achievement of England’s Kenneth Ferrie who carded the 15th official round of 60 in European Tour history in the third round in Andalucia; and that of Scotland’s Sandy Lyle, who lifted his first title since 1992 when he won the ISPS Handa Senior World Championship presented by Mission Hills China on the European Senior Tour. Lawrie is the third monthly winner of the 2011 season, joining Germany’s Martin Kaymer (January) and Luke Donald of England (February). All the monthly winners will be considered for The 2011 European Tour Golfer of the Year, which was won jointly by Major Champions Graeme McDowell and Kaymer last season.

Blood blood spills over between DeGale & Groves

2011-03-22T14:53:00.002Z

James DeGale says that his sparring partners will be taking the full force of his anger until he can get to George Groves on fight night. DeGale and Groves will meet at The O2, London, on May 21 and their British and Commonwealth super-middleweight showdown is one of the most eagerly anticipated for years. Last Thursday, at a press conference to announce the fight, the pair swapped insults. And the bad blood between the two shows no sign of easing. "I've been sorting out my sparring partners for the next few weeks, and they are going to be in for a rough time until I Groves in the ring on May 21," Said DeGale. "I want to smash Groves up now, but by fight night I will be ready to explode and he won't have a chance," "I don't need to say anymore that our dislike of each other is real and it won't change after the fight,""I want to knock him out real quick when we fight because I don't want to have to be looking at his face a second longer than I need to be. "If he fights against me like he did against Kenny Anderson, this fight won't last more than a couple of rounds. "My trainer Jimmy McDonnell told Groves he should pull out last week because he's going to get a beating. "But he told the world that he will be there on May 21.There's nowhere for him to hide now, and I can't wait to shut him up once and for all."

Quiros gets February's top Shot

2011-03-22T11:56:00.000Z

Alvaro Quiros’ sensational hole in one en route to victory at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic has deservedly earned the Spaniard the European Tour Shot of the Month Award for February. Quiros’ ace, which he described as “the perfect shot”, was undoubtedly the highlight of an eventful final day at the Emirates Golf Club which culminated in the big-hitting 28 year old keeping the title in Spanish hands, following Miguel Angel Jiménez’s victory last year. Having relinquished the lead with a triple bogey seven at the eighth hole, Quiros promptly regained the initiative with a “three quarter wedge” at the 161-yard 11th for an eagle which ultimately helped him seal victory by a single stroke. He said: “The most memorable moment of the week, without doubt, was the hole in one. It’s always special to make a hole in one, but to do it in a final round when you’re in contention was even more special. It was the perfect shot.” Quiros joins England’s Paul Casey, who took the prize in January, in winning the award this year. Second place went to Englishman Robert Coles for his holed approach for an eagle at the seventh hole on the final day of the Avantha Masters, while his compatriot Luke Donald took third place for his deft chip to the 15th hole to close out victory at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Chosen by fans of www.europeantour.com, the Shot of the Month is awarded to the Tour Member for the stroke judged to be the best played each month on The European Tour International Schedule. The winners of each Shot of the Month Award will then be put forward for the European Tour Shot of the Year, won last season by Graeme McDowell for his unforgettable birdie putt on the 16th green of The Celtic Manor Resort which helped Europe regain The Ryder Cup.

City do the trick for Murray

2011-03-21T14:30:00.002Z

John Murray has been training at the home of his heroes ahead of his big European lightweight title defence on April 2. The 26-year-old has been training at Manchester City's Eastlands stadium to prepare for his York Hall clash with tough Spaniard Karim El Ouazghari, live on Sky Sports 1HD. The Mancunian, ranked number two in the world by the WBC and six by Ring Magazine, has been hitting the sprint track for strength and conditioning along with trainer Joe Gallagher to get ready for a hard battle with the Spanish champion. "The training that Joe puts me through on the track at Man City is an absolute killer so I don't really get to enjoy the surroundings too much while I'm there!" said Murray. "I love the club and I'm a big fan, but I enjoy the ground more on a match day when I can sit back, relax and watch the game," "Joe has really put me through the paces for this title defence as it's probably the most important fight of my career," "It's a crucial must win fight for me with a world title shot so close so I've really got to look good and do a job on Ouazghari," Murray has enjoyed his best-ever training camp ahead of what could be a key clash. Victory could see the 30-fight unbeaten star finally cement a world title opportunity this summer. He has been sparring with the likes of British super-featherweight champion Anthony Crolla, and Commonwealth featherweight king Stephen Smith. "I must have done 100 plus rounds in the gym," said Murray. "Joe has pushed me really hard, but I'm going to be in the best shape of my life come fight night," "All the hard work will be done by Wednesday, and then I will slowly wind down ahead of the fight,""Everything has gone great so far and I'm ready to go on April 2 with a top performance."

Lehmann back at Arsenal

2011-03-18T16:50:00.000Z

Jens Lehmann has today rejoined Arsenal on a monthly rolling contract until the end of the season. After negotiations with Arsène Wenger, Lehmann, who has made a combined total of over 650 club appearances during his career, has decided to come out of retirement to help the Club on a short-term basis during the time in which Arsenal keepers Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone are out through injury. Manager Arsène Wenger said: “Jens Lehmann is a great short-term signing for us and will be a valuable asset during a crucial time of the season. Jens has kept himself very fit during this season and will provide quality back-up to Manuel Almunia. Jens knows the Club very well, is vastly experienced and will also be an extremely positive influence in the dressing room during his time with us.” German international Lehmann originally signed for Arsenal from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in July 2003 and went on to make 199 first team appearances for the Gunners.
During his first spell with Arsenal, Lehmann (41), played in every match of the Club’s unbeaten league campaign in 2003/04, when he was awarded the Premier League Golden Glove Award for his integral part in the ‘Invincibles’ season. As well as winning the Premier League title in 2003/04, Lehmann won the Community Shield in 2004and also an FA Cup winner’s medal in 2005, when he famously saved from Paul Scholes in the victorious penalty shoot-out. Prior to joining Arsenal in 2003, Lehmann was a Bundesliga title winner with Borussia Dortmund in 2002, and UEFA Cup winner with Schalke in 1997. He also had a brief spell with AC Milan in 1998. Lehmann was a regular fixture for the Germany national team for a decade, making 61 appearances for his country. Before retiring from international football in 2008, Jens was a member of the Germany World Cup squads in 1998, 2002 and 2006, in addition to their squads for the European Championship Finals in 2000, 2004 and 2008. After leaving Arsenal at the end of the 2007/08 season, Jens moved to German club Stuttgart, where he spent two years before announcing his retirement from football at the end of last season. After completing his short-term move to the Gunners, Lehmann said: “I’m very excited to be rejoining Arsenal. I have kept myself fit since the end of last season and I’m ready to contribute at any time for the team. I have many great memories from my previous time at the Club and Arsenal has always had a place in my heart. It’s special to be coming back. I can’t wait to start working with the team again and I look forward to contributing as much as I can, both on and off the pitch during this time.” Lehmann has already been training with the first team squad this week and is available for selection for the Premier League match at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Groves and DeGale hit London's O2

2011-03-17T16:23:00.002Z

James DeGale will take on bitter rival George Groves on the same night Nathan Cleverly challenges for the WBO World Light-Heavyweight title against Juergen Braehmer. The mouth-watering double bill - which will rival the biggest nights in British boxing history - takes place on May 21 at The O2, London. Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren confirmed the huge show, which will be screened by live and exclusive on Sky Box Office, at a press conference in London today. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, and it's certain to be the hottest ticket in town. Speaking at the press conference Warren hailed DeGale and Groves' British and Commonwealth super-middleweight title clash as a throw back to the showdowns between Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and Michael Watson in the 1980s and 1990s. Warren has spent weeks negotiating for the fight to go ahead after purse bids last month. And he has agreed a deal that delivers a showdown every fight fan wants to see. DeGale and Groves fought as amateurs - the latter won - and DeGale went on to win gold at the Beijing Olympics. They have been bitter enemies ever since. Recently they have swapped insults, with DeGale insisting he will take revenge by knocking out his fellow west Londoner. British champion DeGale lifted the British title with a superb ninth-round stoppage of Paul Smith, while Groves - also unbeaten - holds the Commonwealth champion. Main on the show features Cleverly's eagerly anticipated world title clash with Braehmer finally getting the go ahead. The unbeaten Welshman is aiming to become one of the UK's youngest-ever world champions, and is already the interim WBO holder. Hard-hitting Braehmer comes to the UK as a world class talent and bona fide world champion. "This will be one of the best shows that I have ever put together," said Warren. "The super-middleweight division has always had a special place in the hearts of the British public. "I promoted some great champions in Joe Calzaghe, Chris Eubank, Steve Collins and Nigel Benn, but I believe DeGale can be better than all of them. "This fight against Groves will be an absolute war though, and it's a massive test. "Not only are the British and Commonwealth titles on the line, but pride is as well, and that makes this is a very special occasion. "Cleverly and Braehmer is one hell of a fight too. "Cleverly is one of our best prospects and this is his chance to make a massive statement. "And who knows, one day he might end up fighting James DeGale or George Groves up at light-heavy." Warren has previously promoted two blockbuster cards at the O2, when Enzo Maccarinelli and David Haye fought for three world cruiserweight titles. He also staged Amir Khan's Commonwealth lightweight title thriller with Willie Limond at London's biggest indoor venue.

Donald's delight in February

2011-03-07T11:32:00.000Z

Englishman Luke Donald has been named European Tour Golfer of the Month for February following his convincing victory in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship at Ritz Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain, Arizona, Tucson. Donald, 33, who was never behind in any of his six matches, displayed a showcase of fine match play golf, a format in which he has excelled since his amateur years. The 33-year-old from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, receives an engraved alms dish and a jeroboam of Moët and Chandon champagne in recognition of his achievement.Donald did not play the 18th hole once as he saw off American Charley Hoffman, Italians Edoardo Molinari and Matteo Manassero, Ryan Moore and Matt Kuchar, both of the United States, to set up a mouth-watering final against 2010 Ryder Cup team-mate Martin Kaymer. Despite it being only his second event of the year, Donald’s impressively accurate short game and exquisite touch around the greens were in evidence as he beat the German, who the day before had officially become the new World Number One. It was Donald’s fourth victory on The European Tour International Schedule – and first in a World Golf Championship event – and it propelled him from ninth to a career-high third in the Official World Golf Ranking, behind Kaymer and Lee Westwood and one ahead of Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell. “I’m very pleased and proud to have won this award, especially considering the incredible talent competing for the honour,” said Donald. “I was delighted with my recent win at the WGC-Accenture World Match Play and I look forward to building on that early-season victory for a strong season.” Donald’s record in match play is magnificent and in Arizona he showed just why he is one of the world’s most feared opponents in the format. Last October he won three points from four in The 2010 Ryder Cup, continuing his 100% record in the contest, having won in 2004 and 2006. In total, he has played 11 Ryder Cup matches, won eight, halved one and lost two.It was another fine month of performances on The European Tour for the judges to consider, and the panel commended Thomas Björn, winner of the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy, Alvaro Quiros, who won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and SSP Chowrasia, who triumphed on home soil to clinch the Avantha Masters, in addition to Hennie Otto (Dimension Data Pro-Am) and George Coetzee (Telkom PGA Championship) who both won on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa. Kaymer, the European Tour Golfer of the Month for January, was also highly praised for becoming World Number One for the first time in his career on reaching the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play. All the monthly winners will be considered for The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year, which was won jointly by Kaymer and McDowell in 2010.

Haye agrees terms with Wladimir Klitschko

2011-03-07T11:29:00.000Z

WBA heavyweight champion David Haye has agreed terms to fight IBF/WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko on either June 25 or July 2 at a venue in Germany. The consensus top two heavyweights in the world finally struck a deal and signed contracts on Friday evening, setting the wheels in motion on the biggest boxing event of 2011. After years of negotiating and posturing, Haye and Klitschko are now set to officially collide in the most important heavyweight showdown for nearly a decade and, in doing so, will unify three of the recognised world heavyweight belts.Speaking of the latest twist in the saga, Haye said: “I always believed we'd one day fight and I'm glad we've cut through the nonsense and put together the most important fight in the heavyweight division.“This is the match the boxing world has been calling for since I first decided to step into the heavyweight division, and I feel it is my destiny to fight and beat Wladimir Klitschko. We are the best two heavyweights in the world and it would have been a travesty for us to have never fought.“This is an inevitable fight with an inevitable conclusion. Wladimir Klitschko is getting violently knocked out.” The 30-year-old Haye is the current WBA heavyweight champion of the world and a former WBA, WBC and WBO world cruiserweight king. London born and bred, Haye ventured to the heavyweight division in 2008 and would eventually defeat and dethrone seven-feet-two-inch former champion Nikolay Valuev in November '09. Haye has since defended his belt twice, with stunning knockouts of mandatory challenger John Ruiz and British rival Audley Harrison, and has altogether crushed 23 of 25 beaten opponents inside schedule. A mainstay of the heavyweight division, 34-year-old Wladimir Klitschko is the reigning IBF and WBO world champion. He is a two-time WBO champion and has defended that particular belt nine times throughout the course of his fourteen-year professional career. Nicknamed 'Dr. Steelhammer', Ukrainian Klitschko has stopped 49 of 55 beaten foes inside the scheduled distance.“I have been chasing this fight since day one, because I know boxing styles and I know which styles I have success against,” said Haye. “Klitschko is ready-made for me. I eat tall, chinny Eastern European heavyweights for breakfast. Wladimir is a fighter that doesn't like to fight, and he has admitted that fact in the past. Unfortunately for him, I am a fighter that loves nothing more than fighting. “I have the heart of lion, whereas Wladimir has the heart of a hyena. He cries and squeals and slips into the wilderness at the first sign of danger. Wladimir has proven this over the years, and I'm certain he will want no part of this lion when it finally comes time to go to war.”

Kaymer becomes World Number One

2011-02-28T10:45:00.001Z

Martin Kaymer will become the Number One golfer on the planet today, completing a meteoric rise to the summit of the professional game. The 26 year old from Düsseldorf will replace Lee Westwood at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking after reaching the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona, where he will face England’s Luke Donald, who beat American Matt Kuchar 6&5 in the day’s other semi-final. Kaymer’s one up victory over American Bubba Watson, the man he also beat in a play-off to win the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits last year, was sufficient to propel him to the Number One spot – almost 25 years to the month since his highly-decorated countryman, Bernhard Langer, became the first person, and only other German, to head the newly-created Ranking in April 1986. Kaymer’s elevation caps a remarkable week for European golf, with Europeans now occupying at least the top three places in the Ranking – and the top four if Donald were to prevail in today’s final – for the first time in 19 years. While Kaymer and Westwood will switch places, Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell will move to a career-high third place unless Donald wins, in which case he would occupy third and the Ulsterman would take fourth. The last time that Europe enjoyed such riches was on March 15, 1992, when the formidable quartet of Ian Woosnam, Sir Nick Faldo, José Maria Olazábal and Seve Ballesteros filled the leading four positions. As he prepared to face his Ryder Cup team-mate Donald in the 18-hole final at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Dove Mountain, an ecstatic Kaymer said: “I definitely need some time to think about it and let it sink in – the good thing is next week I don’t have a tournament, so maybe then I’ll be able to appreciate what I’ve done. But what I can say for sure is that it’s an incredibly proud moment. Not only for me, but also for my family, for the people who have helped me, and obviously for Germany and also The European Tour. To be only the second German after Bernhard Langer, who was my role model when I was growing up, is a very special feeling. “Like I say, it probably won’t hit me until Monday, but when the new World Ranking is published I’m definitely going to take a picture with my name at the top. It doesn’t feel real to me at the moment, but maybe when I see it in writing then I’ll start to believe I’m the best golfer in the world. Not many people can say they’re the best player in the world at their sport, so I feel very honoured and privileged. It’ll feel extra special if I manage to beat Luke in the final, because then I will really feel that I deserve it.” While two-time Major Champion Langer was the first to ascent to the summit – staying there for a further two weeks – Kaymer is only the 14th player, and the sixth European, to fill that coveted position in the quarter of a century since the World Ranking was devised. Since turning professional in 2005 and winning on his debut on the European Challenge Tour the following year, Kaymer has gone from strength to strength in a remarkably short space of time, winning nine times on The European Tour International Schedule with his most recent victory coming by eight shots at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship – an event he has won three times.
That debut Challenge Tour win in August 2006 hoisted Kaymer from 1249th in the world to 480th. Since then, his progress has been little short of stupendous. He ended 2006 in 164th place then made rapid strides to 76th (2007), 25th (2008), 13th(2009) and third at the end of 2010, the season in which he made his Major breakthrough and played in his first Ryder Cup. Now Kaymer, who won last year’s Race to Dubai and will climb to the top of the current Rankings if he defeats Donald in today’s final, has graduated from European to World Number One with an almost effortless grace. In the process, Kaymer, at 26 years and nine weeks, becomes the second youngest player behind Tiger Woods (21 years and 24 weeks) to reach World Number One. He follows in the illustrious footsteps of Langer, Seve Ballesteros, Ian Woosnam, Sir Nick Faldo and Westwood as the only Europeans to reach golf’s pinnacle.

India joins forces with Golf

2011-02-16T14:08:00.002Z

The European Tour makes its fourth visit to India this week, adding further impetus to the fastest growing sport in the world’s second most populous country. Cricket may be deeply ingrained in the sporting culture of the subcontinent but golf is in the ascendency and The European Tour has a key role to play in the development of the sport across the country.The Avantha Masters, jointly sanctioned by The European Tour, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and the Asian Tour, represents the pinnacle, and the explosion of interest is being felt all the way through society, as illustrated by Tomasz Gudzowaty’s brilliant portrayal of “Urban Golf in India”, a photographic story of boys from the slums of Mumbai who have fashioned makeshift clubs from iron rods and devised their own variation of the game. Not long ago the only sport played on the streets was cricket but golf is finding its feet.Golf is growing at a phenomenal rate, spurred on by the development of the PGTI, the arrival of The European Tour and now golf’s inclusion in the Olympics. Cricket still dominates the back pages, but golf is next in line as the media soaks up the global success of home grown players such as Jeev Milhka Singh, Shiv Kapur and SSP Chowrasia. These and many more are seizing the opportunities afforded them through the association with The European Tour and taking golf to a new level.The rapid progression is highlighted on the ground with 230 courses across the country, an increase of 20-25% over the last decade, and 50 new courses in development. There are an estimated half a million active golfers, a number that is growing fast. And while there are only two recognised public courses, private courses are increasingly being opened for public play and golf’s inclusion in the Olympics has sparked moves for the provision of a public driving range in every city. Kapur is one of the standard bearers for Indian golf, at the forefront of the game’s development in his home country and carrying it onto the international stage.“Seven or eight years ago when I was thinking about turning professional I was still in college and my parents didn’t think it was a good career move because the local tour in India was so small,” he said. “When you have to stand on your own two feet it’s not that easy. But now the local tour has grown and now you get tournaments like this week’s Avantha Masters. “The kids get really excited about coming out and seeing us play for such big money. It is a great boost for golf and the juniors who strive to be where we are. Golf has grown a lot and it is the fastest growing sport in the country. In the next five years there are more than 50 or 60 new golf courses due to open so golf is growing at a fast pace.” Much of that is down to the work of Guatam Thapar, President of the PGTI since its launch in 2006 and Chairman and CEO of Avantha, this week’s tournament sponsors. In the first three years of his stewardship, prize money on the PGTI increased by more than 250% and this growth was recognised with the induction of the PGTI to the International Federation of PGA Tours in July 2009.“Gauthum Thapar is probably the most important man in Indian golf at the moment,” said Singh. “He is supports the Indian Tour, he owns Avantha and he is very rich man. There are a few billionaires in India who really support the game and that is great for us because they want to see golf grow in India.”The arrival of The European Tour and success of home players is helping raise golf’s profile in a country passionate about sport. Arjun Atwal was the first Indian to win on The European Tour, taking the Malaysian Open title in 2003, and he has been followed by Singh and Chowrasia. Indeed, Chowrasia’s victory in the first European Tour co-sanctioned event in India in 2008 highlighted what can be achieved with the heart-warming story of the son of the local greenkeeper taking the title.“Having the Tour in India has been good for the local players to rub shoulders with the best players,” continued Kapur. “It is a great opportunity for them. The 20 or so local players get to play in a European Tour field and play for €1.8million. SSP (Chowrasia) is a great example – he won the first co-sanctioned event here in India and he got a three year exemption on The European Tour. For the India players and some of the Asian Tour players it is a great stepping stone to build on. All of us growing up, we dreamt of playing on The European Tour one day. Having The European Tour in India is such a great boost for golf in our country and in Asia.” The future is bright for the sport and golf’s inclusion in the Olympics will only give further fuel to the game’s development. Singh, whose father Milkha Singh – “the Flying Sikh” – was a renowned sprinter, is relishing the impact this will have. “You can’t overstate the impact that the Olympic decision will have on golf,” he said. “Countries all over the world will sit up and take notice of that and there will be a lot more money coming into golf. Golf in the Olympics will have a huge impact in India. “We need to build more public driving ranges and more public courses so that the common man can give it a go. There are plans to do that – since golf was reinstated as an Olympic sport I am sure that our Sports Minister and the Government are keen to do that.“The European Tour has come into India at the right time – it is a growing market so there are benefits for both parties. The Tour can do a lot commercially in a market like that and our players can benefit from the experience of playing on a Tour that has the best players in the world playing regularly.” Further developments have also been made with the first Challenge Tour event co-sanctioned with the PGTI taking place last month, hosted by Singh. And in a perfect illustration of how well home players are progressing, Gaganjeet Bhullar became the first Indian to win on the Challenge Tour after triumphing by one shot at the season-opening Gujarat Kensville Challenge in what was the first men’s golf event to be played in Western India. There is a collective will to build the game throughout India with The European Tour playing a key role and this week’s Avantha Masters, with its 20% increase in prize money from 2010, is another solid foundation block in that building process.

Title tilt for Cleverly

2011-02-11T14:07:00.001Z

Welsh star Nathan Cleverly will face WBO World Light-Heavyweight champion Jurgen Braehmer in a mouth-watering world title clash. The fight was confirmed today at a London press conference by promoter Frank Warren, and will go ahead on April 2 in London at Wembley Arena. Cleverly, 23, is the current WBO interim champion after wins in his last two fights against Karo Murat and Nadjib Mohammedi. However Braehmer represents a significant step up in class for the unbeaten mathematics graduate, who has put together a 21-fight winning streak. Braehmer, 32, has a 36-2 (29) record and, like Cleverly, is a former European champion. "I'm delighted that I've been able to secure home advantage for Nathan," said Warren. "It wasn't cheap to get Braehmer over here, but it will be worth it because I really believe in Nathan and he has a big future ahead of him. "It looked like the fight was going to go to purse bids, but we made a substantial offer the night before and it was enough to persuade Braehmer to say yes. "Nathan has worked incredibly hard for this opportunity, and waited patiently to get his shot. "He's getting this fight at exactly the right time, and it could be a massive moment in his career. "This is a huge fight. Braehmer is a proven champion and belongs at elite level, while Cleverly is young and hungry and could be the next big thing in the UK. "Don't forget that light-heavyweight is a very sexy division right now. " You've got Chad Dawson, Bernard Hopkins, Tavoris Cloud and Jean Pascal out there, and Nathan has the chance to make a name for himself both here and in the States. Cleverly added: "I always thought that I would get my shot at Braehmer. "There was talk that he might be stripped or would vacate the title, but I never wanted that to happen. "He's the champion and the only way I would consider myself a true champion is if I took the belt from him, rather than picking up the vacant title. "I'm going to take the fight to Braehmer, walk through him and give him some serious punishment. "I feel that this fight has come at the perfect time for me and I want to make a big statement. "You only have to take a look at Braehmer's record to realise just how dangerous he will be. He's a genuine champion and a genuine talent, but I think I have enough in my armoury to beat him. "Before my last fight I was only sparring amateurs, but this time around I've got some big professional cruiserweights in and I've been knocking them out. "I'm going to significantly better against Braehmer than I was against Mohammedi, and I'm predicting a spectacular performance."

Murray signs with Warren

2011-02-09T09:55:00.000Z

Manchester ace John Murray has signed a promotional agreement with top promoter Frank Warren. The European and two-time British Lightweight Champion from Levenshulme joins Warren's talent packed stable alongside the best young fighters in Britain. Murray, 26, has amassed the longest current undefeated record in Britain with 30 wins and his last six fights have all ended by stoppage. Hall of Fame promoter Warren has guided and developed British boxing biggest stars including Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton, Nigel Benn, Amir Khan, Frank Bruno and Naseem Hamed, and now Murray wants to join those illustrious names. "John is a tremendous talent and I'm thrilled that he's joined my organisation," said Warren, now into his 30th year in the sport. "I've always thought highly of him and what he needs now is the right promotion and guidance to turn him into a star and that's what I aim to do," "He can fight and I believe that with his no-nonsense, all-action, style, he can be the man to get Manchester's boxing scene going again." A jubilant Murray said, "I'm excited to be signing with Frank who is the best promoter in Britain and one of the best in the world at developing talent," "This is the next chapter of my career which will be the most exciting and I'm looking forward to being on the big stage," "Frank can make the big fights happen; he got Kostya Tszyu for Hatton, Jeff Lacy for Calzaghe, Marco Antonio Barrera for Khan, all of which were in Manchester, and more recently Michael Katsidis for Kevin Mitchell." "My ambition has always been to headline arenas. I've watched Ricky Hatton fill the M.E.N Arena in his hey day making Manchester the boxing capital of Britain in the last decade," "I want to get Manchester rocking again, I've got the exciting style that the fans love and I want to be part of the Frank Warren success story just like Naz, Ricky and Joe," Murray's trainer Joe Gallagher, who also carries an unbeaten record with his fighters currently standing at 41-0, said, "I'm really pleased that John has gone with Frank who I know is going to do a fantastic job on him," "It's also a proud day for me as I've had John since he was a 14-year-old and brought him through the amateurs and professional, winning the English, British and European titles, and now he's signed up with one of the world's best promoters," "Frank's promoted the best fighters and puts on the best shows and John is in the best hands he could be in."

Khan against McCloskey in Manchester

2011-02-08T16:12:00.001Z

Amir "King" Khan returns home. On Saturday, April 16, at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England, WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Amir "King" Khan will defends his title in England for the first time since December of 2009 when he faces unbeaten EBU champion Paul "Dudey" McCloskey of Northern Ireland. "I'm thrilled to be coming home to England to defend my title on April 16 and I promise my fans that I will give them a performance they won't forget," said Khan. "McCloskey is a tough contender, so I expect him to be in his best form. I'm in my prime now and I want to make a statement in this fight and show that I am the best super lightweight in the world." "Fighting for a world championship is a dream come true for me and I'm not about to let it go to waste," said McCloskey. "Khan is a very good fighter and I respect him, but he is beatable and I plan to do just that. I've sacrificed a lot to get here and this is my time." "This is the fight that the British boxing fans want to see because both fighters are champions and both are going to give their all," said Asif Vali of Khan Promotions. "There will definitely be fireworks on April 16." "There's nothing like an Amir Khan fight in England and I know the atmosphere is going to be electric on April 16," said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. "Amir showed great skill and heart in his fight with Maidana in December and he wants to keep that momentum going, but Paul McCloskey is a tough, undefeated challenger who has been waiting for his moment under the bright lights. This one has all the makings of a great fight." "I am very pleased and excited to be involved in this promotion and I am sure it will be a big success," said Ricky Hatton, President of Hatton Promotions. Khan vs. McCloskey, a 12-round WBA Super Lightweight World Championship bout, is presented by Khan Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Hatton Promotions. The reigning superstar of British boxing, Bolton's Amir "King" Khan (24-1, 17 KO's) represented England in the 2004 Athens Olympics, where he captured a Silver Medal at the age of 17. He has carried that momentum into his professional career which has seen him rise to the top of the super lightweight class. Winner of six fights in a row, Khan won the WBA Super Lightweight World Title in July of 2009 with a 12-round win over Andriy Kotelnik and has successfully defended his belt with knockout wins over Dmitriy Salita and Paulie "Magic Man" Malignaggi. His most exciting defense came in his most recent fight on December 11, 2010 during which Khan scored a dramatic 12-round unanimous decision victory over Marcos Maidana. The fight saw Khan score a first round knockdown and dominate the early-rounds of the fight, but then Maidana made the fight a close one by closing the gap in the late rounds. Khan displayed an incredible amount of heart and fortitude in surviving a vicious tenth round onslaught by Maidana that would have sent most fighters to the canvas. Khan survived the round and came out swinging in the eleventh and twelfth round, sealing the unanimous decision victory in an instant classic. The fight was so acclaimed that it was named the Boxing Writers Association of America's 2010 Fight of the Year. Now, the 24-year-old returns to fight in England for the first time in over a year to face a hungry challenger looking to unseat him from his throne. A proud native of Derry, Northern Ireland, 31-year-old Paul McCloskey (22-0, 12 KO's) has been waiting for this moment since the first time he laced up the gloves. A three-time Irish amateur champion, the talented southpaw turned professional in 2005 and has since proven himself to be one of his country's top exports. The current European Union Super Lightweight Champion has two defenses under his belt and owns wins over Toncho Tonchev, Cesar Bazan, Colin Lynes, Dean Harrison and Giuseppe Lauri. A world championship bout against Khan is the most important of his career and he is determined to the title back with him to Northern Ireland.

Westwood receives special Accolade

2011-02-08T16:04:00.000Z

Lee Westwood, only the second English golfer after Sir Nick Faldo to scale the summit of the professional game as World Number One, has been awarded Honorary Life Membership of The European Tour. The 37 year old from Worksop, who deposed Tiger Woods at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking on October 31 last year, was presented with a silver Honorary Life Membership card and money clip by George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, during the build up to this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club. Westwood turned professional in 1993 and has been a loyal and committed supporter of The European Tour since his debut season in 1994, when he finished 43rd in the Order of Merit. Now in his 18th year on his home Tour and making his 388th start in Dubai this week, Westwood remains one of Europe’s most consistently brilliant and popular performers wherever he tees up. He has won 20 times on The European Tour, the last victory being his superb success in the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, which secured The 2009 Race to Dubai title to add to his Order of Merit win in 2000. As well as those two triumphs in the season-long competitions, Westwood has been runner-up once and third on four occasions. He is third in the all-time Career Money List behind Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie with tournament winnings of €23,911,692, and is only the 13th player to reach the pinnacle of World Number One in the 25 years of the Official World Golf Ranking. Since making his Ryder Cup debut at Valderrama in 1997, Westwood has become a talisman for Europe in the biennial contest against the United States, winning 19 points during the seven matches in which he has played. Westwood said: “I have always loved The European Tour, from the moment I first teed up in Madeira to this day, standing here in Dubai receiving this award. I have had a few ups and downs in that time but I have always loved The Tour and the people surrounding it. It has played a huge part in my life and I will cherish this honour for the rest of my life.” O’Grady commented: “It is a great privilege to honour Lee in this very special way with the highest award we as a Tour can give him. He is a devoted family man but also devoted to the Tour on which he cut his teeth in professional golf. He has shown unswerving loyalty to The European Tour for the best part of 20 years and is fully deserving of being recognised with Honorary Life Membership. “For the past 15 weeks Lee has sat on top of the world, in a golfing sense, and the fact that only 12 other players have claimed the position of Number One over a 25 year period speaks volumes for the enormity of his achievement. He has done this through the quality of his golf and sheer force of personality and is undoubtedly one of our greatest champions.”

Kaymer succeeds in January

2011-02-04T16:38:00.001Z

Martin Kaymer has won The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month award for January following his dominant defence of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which saw him climb to a career-high World Number Two. The German, who receives an engraved alms dish in recognition of his achievement, set a new tournament record low total of 264 (24 under par) with rounds of 67-65-66-66, finishing eight shots clear of Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy to capture his fourth title in his last eight European Tour appearances. It was also his third victory in the six-year history of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, following wins in 2008 and 2010. The latest success saw Kaymer become the quickest player to earn €10million in European Tour Official Career Earnings, doing so in just 100 events, and moved him to second place behind Lee Westwood of England on the Official World Golf Ranking. It marked the first occasion that two Europeans have been Number One and Two in the world since 1993, when Sir Nick Faldo and Bernhard Langer occupied the same positions. Kaymer said: “I’ve won the Golfer of the Month award four times now and it is always a nice trophy to win. I’m collecting them! It’s good to have an extra trophy in my living room. I played very well in Abu Dhabi. I know Tiger has won by 15shots before but to win a golf tournament by eight shots is pretty good going.” Broadcaster Di Stewart, a member of the judging panel, said: “It was another difficult decision for the judging panel with so many strong contenders for January’s award. After much debate, Martin Kaymer came out on top for yet another stunning performance. Martin said his win was the best golf he’s ever played and to beat the field by eight shots, after a winter break, can only be described as remarkable.“He is certainly an Abu Dhabi specialist having won the title three times in four years, but this victory was perhaps the most impressive of them all as he showed his quality against a world-class field. He was cool, calm and collected. Alles wunderbar for the German! Martin’s victory last year in Abu Dhabi spurred an amazing season which included a Major, a Ryder Cup appearance and The Race to Dubai –who knows what 2011 holds for him?” It was another notable month of performances on The European Tour for the judges to consider in arriving at their decision. The panel commended Louis Oosthuizen, the winner of the South African Open on home soil; his compatriot Charl Schwartzel, who won the Joburg Open and had top ten finishes in the Africa Open and Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship; and Paul Casey, who claimed his first European Tour title in 20 months in the Volvo Golf Champions. Kaymer, who also won the Golfer of the Month award last August following his victory in the US PGA Championship, will join the subsequent monthly winners in 2011, all of whom will be considered for The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year – an honour the German shared in 2010 with Graeme McDowell.

Olazabal to captain European Team

2011-01-18T17:52:00.001Z

José Maria Olazábal has accepted an invitation from the Tournament Committee of The European Tour, ratified by The European Ryder Cup Players and Stakeholders Board, to captain the European team in The 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club, Medinah, Illinois, United States of America, from September 28-30, 2012. Olazábal, who was born in Fuenterrabia, Spain, on February 5, 1966, becomes the 23rd golfer to captain a Ryder Cup team against the United States and the second Spaniard following Seve Ballesteros, the winning captain in 1997 when Europe triumphed 14 ½ - 13 ½ at Club de Golf Valderrama, Sotogrande, Spain. Olazábal made the first of seven Ryder Cup appearances in 1987 when Europe created history by winning on American soil for the first time and he was also on the winning European team in 1997 and 2006 in a Ryder Cup playing career that spanned 19 years. Olazábal and Ballesteros formed the most successful partnership in Ryder Cup history in the fourballs and foursomes with 11 wins and two halved matches from 15 played, and with 18 wins and 20½ points, Olazábal stands fifth in the European lists for most matches won and most points won respectively. Following Europe’s 14 ½ - 13 ½ win at The Celtic Manor Resort, City of Newport, Wales, Olazábal succeeds Colin Montgomerie as captain with the aim of retaining The Ryder Cup which Europe has won eight times and the United States seven times with one match tied since players from the Continent of Europe became eligible in 1979. Europe’s victories were achieved under the captaincies of Tony Jacklin (1985, 1987), Bernard Gallacher (1995), Ballesteros (1997), Sam Torrance (2002), Bernhard Langer (2004), Ian Woosnam (2006) and Montgomerie (2010) with Jacklin being the captain when the match was tied in 1989. Olazábal said: “The two Masters wins at Augusta National are the highlight of my playing career but this is my proudest moment. Golf has been my life and representing Europe in The Ryder Cup has given me so much enjoyment. So to be named the European Ryder Cup captain is something very special and I am looking forward to the next 20 months before we reach Medinah. “Without question The Ryder Cup has given me many memorable times especially with Seve from the moment we were first partners in 1987 and Europe won in America for the first time. We were unbeaten in 1989 and 1991 and we won our last match together in 1993. “Seve was also our Captain at Valderrama in 1997 and that was especially significant because the match was played in Spain and on the Continent for the first time and, of course, we won. In all I’ve played under five Captains – Tony Jacklin, Bernard Gallacher, Mark James, Ian Woosnam and Seve – and the last in 2006 with Woosie was one to remember because we won 18 ½ - 9½. I played two fourball matches with Sergio (Garcia) and we won both and then I beat Phil Mickelson in the singles which was the last match I played. “It was also a wonderful experience to be involved as a vice captain with Nick Faldo in 2008 and then again with Colin Montgomerie when we regained the Cup at Celtic Manor last year. I’ve learned a lot along the way and linked to my own experiences I look forward to drawing on all that knowledge with the aim, of course, to keeping the Cup in our possession. We all know The Ryder Cup is one of the most exciting and important competitions in the golfing calendar, and that it always inspires team members and spectators alike, but there is nothing like holding that trophy at the end of the week. “I have spent a lot of my career in America and the fans there have always been fair to me. We want to keep the Cup, and that will be our priority, but I know that the American team will share with us the desire for this match to continue the fabulous tradition of The Ryder Cup with fair play and good sportsmanship the vital ingredients. “I have accepted the captaincy but I think my desire to keep playing is known by everyone. This is the first of four tournaments in succession I am playing on the Desert Swing of The European Tour International Schedule. I am looking forward to competing again and giving myself the chance to win. “But I want to stress it is a great honour to become the European Ryder Cup captain and I will be committed to getting everything right in the build-up to the 2012 match.” Olazábal, who won the Masters Tournament in 1994 and again in 1999 after recovering from rheumatoid polyarthritis in three joints of his right foot and two in his left, struck his first shots at the age of two at the Real Golf de San Sebastian, set in the lush foothills of the Pyrenees. He was drawn to the golf course because it was where his father, Gaspar, worked as the greenkeeper and his mother, Julia, as wardrobe mistress. It was on the practice range at Real Golf de San Sebastian in 1979that Olazábal also met Sergio Gomez, who would go on to become his long-time friend and manager. Aged seven, Olazábal won the Spanish Championship for under nines. Soon afterwards, Ballesteros broke through on The European Tour and Olazábal, although committed to studying at the public school in Fuenterrabia, knew that he wanted to aspire to such heights especially when three years later Ballesteros returned to his own home further along the Spanish coast with the famous silver claret jug following his 1979 Open Championship triumph. Jesus Arruti, the club professional who spent marathon session after marathon session with Olazábal on the practice range, and Gomez, guided him through a meteoric amateur career during which he won the ‘triple crown’ of British Boys’ Championship, British Amateur Championship and British Youths’ Championship. He also captured the Spanish Amateur Open Championship in 1983 and 1984, the Italian Amateur Open Championship in 1983 and the Belgian International Youths’ Championship in 1984. Olazábal turned professional in 1985 when he led from start to finish to win The European Tour Qualifying School at La Manga in his native Spain and he made an immediate impact by becoming The Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year in 1986 when he finished runner-up to Ballesteros in the then Order of Merit. He set new records with two wins on the way to earning three times what any other first-time Tour professional had earned with a stroke average of 70.69. Olazábal has won 23 times on The European Tour International Schedule with 30 wins in all worldwide and he became the second Spaniard to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame when he joined his great friend Seve Ballesteros (inducted in 1999) in that illustrious group during a moving ceremony at St Augustine, Florida, in November, 2009. Medinah Country Club’s Number 3 Championship Course, close to Chicago, has hosted three Major Championships – the US Open in 1949, 1975 and in 1990 when Olazábal finished tied eighth and the US PGA Championship in 1999 and 2006. It has also staged a US Senior Open. The course was designed by Scotsman Tom Bendelow and carved out of an oak tree forest in rolling terrain and opened in 1928. After the 1999 US PGA Championship Rees Jones, the renowned architect, undertook a modification project and the course played to more than 7,500 yards from the championship tees in the 2006 US PGA Championship.

McDowell's crowning Glory

2011-01-06T11:24:00.001Z

Graeme McDowell’s crucial birdie putt on the 16th hole on the final day of The Ryder Cup has been voted The European Tour Shot of the Year for 2010, adding to the Northern Irishman’s remarkable haul of awards following his career-defining season. The 31 year old’s achievements throughout 2010 have been recognised around the world with a host of deserved awards and accolades, and among the many great shots he played in a phenomenal season it was the 15 foot putt on the 16th green at The Celtic Manor Resort during his singles tie against Hunter Mahan which stood head and shoulders above the rest. Knowing that the outcome of The Ryder Cup rested firmly on his shoulders, McDowell held his nerve in front of the tens of thousands of spectators gathered around the green – and millions glued to television sets - to stroke the ball home. For many observers it was the sporting moment of the year, and for the judging panel of golf commentators it was certainly The European Tour Shot of the Year. McDowell went on to beat Mahan at the next hole to secure the winning point in Europe’s 14 ½ - 13 ½ victory over the United States, the narrowest margin of victory since 1991. McDowell said: “That putt on the 16th was the best I’ve hit in my life. It was just 15 feet but it was above the hole and very fast. I knew I just had to get the ball going and thankfully it caught an edge and dropped in because I wouldn’t have fancied the one back if it had missed! “In the context of The Ryder Cup, that 16th hole was massive as I was aware that everything was riding on the outcome of my singles match with Hunter. I knew that a half point was still not good enough to regain the cup. “However everything went according to plan at the 16th and the rest is history. I will never forget the feeling standing over that putt and appreciating its importance. It was as important as any stroke I will ever play in my career and I am delighted it has been voted as The European Tour Shot of the Year.” The Shot of the Year award gives McDowell a famous double, as he was also named the joint recipient of The 2010 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year award along with Germany’s Martin Kaymer, as well as the winner of the annual awards from the Association of Golf Writers, the Golf Writers’ Association of America and the Irish Golf Writers while he was also named RTE Sportsperson of the Year. McDowell, who in addition to securing the winning point in The Ryder Cup became the first European to win The US Open in 40 years and won three other titles during the year, was also named RTE Sportsperson of the Year in Ireland and received an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List. The European Tour Shot of the Year competition ran on europeantour.com over the festive period with one lucky entrant winning a fantastic golf break to the outstanding London Golf Club, the first European Tour Destination in the European Tour Properties portfolio. Second place in the Shot of the Year competition went to Kaymer, The 2010 Race to Dubai winner, for his fearless putt on the 18th green at Whistling Straits to force a play-off with American Bubba Watson in the US PGA Championship, which the German went on to win. In third place was Ian Poulter’s superb chip on the 15th green in the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship against fellow Englishman Paul Casey. The European Tour Shot of the Month Award is presented to the Tour Member for the shot judged to be the most outstanding played during each calendar month on The European Tour International Schedule. The winning shots from each month are entered into The European Tour Shot of the Year Award. The full list of monthly winners in 2010 was: Martin Kaymer (January and August) Ian Poulter (February), Noh Seung-yul (March), Lee Westwood (April), Luke Donald (May), Graeme McDowell (June and October), Miguel Angel Jiménez (July), Edoardo Molinari (September), Robert Karlsson (November).

Chisora's back in with Klitchsko

2011-01-05T16:17:00.000Z

Dereck Chisora was celebrating tonight after it was confirmed he will fight Wladimir Klitschko in Germany on April 30. The British and Commonwealth champion was left devastated when Klitschko pulled out of their December 11 clash after tearing an abdominal muscle in training. But Del Boy never gave up hope that he would earn a second chance against the IBF and WBO world champion. And today the fight was sealed for the end of April. "This news is a fantastic late Christmas present," said the north Londoner. "I always believed that I would fight Klitschko, and my faith has been repaid. "I was a bit worried that he might try and fight an easier touch, but I think I've earned my opportunity. "I was gutted when Wladimir pulled out of our fight just a couple of days beforehand. "But now I've got another chance to take his titles away. "He's a great world champion, but his time at the top is well and truly up. "My promoter Frank Warren has done a great job in getting me this opportunity because there was no guarantee Wladimir would fight me again after he got injured.

DeGale makes the top Ten

2010-12-23T11:55:00.001Z

James DeGale has gate-crashed the WBO's top 10 rankings after his stunning win over Paul Smith. The new British super-middleweight champion is now rated number five by the governing body and he will aim to rise to the top of the pile by the end of 2011.
"I've always said that I want to be a world champion by 2012," said Olympic Champion DeGale. "At the moment, I might get there a bit earlier, but whatever happens, I just want to keep on winning over the next 12 months and keep going up in those rankings. "I always knew that if I beat Smith I'd get a decent ranking with the WBO, but this is the perfect end a good year as British Champion." DeGale, 24, picked up the British title with a ninth round stoppage in just his ninth pro fight. And it lead promoter Frank Warren to say that he is ahead of other British fighters he has worked with at the same stage of their careers. Ahead of DeGale in the rankings are WBO champion Robert Stieglitz, as well as contenders Andre Dirrell, Arthur Abraham, Jean Paul Mendy and Renan St. Juste. "I'd happily take on any of those fighters next year," said DeGale. "I've been talking to Frank and we've got some big plans for the next 12 months. "Obviously the fight I really want is against the Ugly Kid (George Groves), but if he says no for a second time, then I might even leave the domestic scene behind and crack straight on with European level opposition.

Swede hits the sweet spot

2010-12-17T17:17:00.001Z

Robert Karlsson’s pitch perfect approach to the 18th hole on the final day of the season-ending Dubai World Championship presented by DP World has won the Swede The European Tour Shot of the Month Award for November. Karlsson piled the pressure on leader Ian Poulter of England with a wedge to within two feet to set up a birdie chance, which he duly took to set the clubhouse target on 14 under par. After Poulter had finished on the same mark, Karlsson saw off the Englishman at the second extra hole to take the €910,349 first prize. Poulter took second place in the November Shot of the Month competition with his bunker shot during the final round of the WGC-HSBC Champions, with Karlsson also taking third place for his second shot to the third hole at the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World, which tracked perfectly into the cup for an eagle. The Shot of the Month is awarded to the Tour Member for the stroke judged to be the best played each month on The European Tour International Schedule. The monthly winners in 2010 were Martin Kaymer of Germany (January and August), England’s Ian Poulter (February), Noh Seung-yul of Korea (March), Lee Westwood of England (April), England’s Luke Donald (May), Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland (June and October), Miguel Angel Jiménez of Spain (July), Edoardo Molinari (September) and Karlsson (November). All were considered for The European Tour Shot of the Year, with the panel of golfing media selecting a top three of Ian Poulter’s chip at the WGC – Accenture Match Play in February, Martin Kaymer’s putt to get into a play-off for the US PGA Championship in August, and Graeme McDowell’s putt on the 16th hole on the final day of The Ryder Cup in October as the stand out shots.

Joint winners of Race to Dubai

2010-12-07T15:41:00.001Z

Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell spent most of the 2010 season making golfing history and, fittingly, they ended the year in a similar vein when, for the first time since the award was initiated in 1985, they were voted as joint winners of The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year. A respected judging panel featuring all sectors of the golfing media – newspapers, magazines, radio and television – debated the many merits of both men but when it came to the vote the result was split right down the middle, leading to the historic decision. It was an appropriate conclusion to a groundbreaking season for European Tour Members in tournaments across the globe; a year which saw three – Louis Oosthuizen, Kaymer and McDowell – win Major Championships for the first time; a further trio – Ernie Els, Francesco Molinari and Ian Poulter – lift World Golf Championships; and the 2009 Golfer of the Year Lee Westwood displace Tiger Woods as World Number One before ensuring he would begin 2011 in that position following his success in the Nedbank Golf Challenge. On The European Tour International Schedule, Miguel Angel Jiménez became, at the age of 46 years and 243 days, the oldest player to win three times in one season while at a mere 17 years and 188 days, Matteo Manassero became the youngest Tour winner in history. Furthermore Bernhard Langer, the winner of the inaugural Golfer of the Year award in 1985, claimed two Senior Major titles in consecutive weeks on his way to winning the US Champions Tour Player of the Year and Money List for the third consecutive season, while on the regular US PGA Tour, European Tour Members dominated the mid-season with seven victories in 11 weeks. All of the above players were commended by the panel for their achievements but, in terms of the Golfer of the Year, it was the respective feats of Kaymer and McDowell which stood out. Kaymer, 25, won four times on The European Tour International Schedule, capturing the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship at the start of the season and three tournaments in a row during a sensational autumn spell, a run which began with his first Major Championship victory when he came from behind in a three-hole play-off at Whistling Straits to beat American Bubba Watson to the US PGA Championship title. He then followed that with a win on his return to competitive stroke play action in the KLM Open in the Netherlands before triumphing in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. It was a run which provided the platform for him to also finish Number One on The Race to Dubai with record season earnings of €4,461,011. In the midst of his triumphant autumn, he also made his Ryder Cup debut at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, returning two and a half points from his four matches including a vital fourball victory in the first match of the entire contest, in partnership with Lee Westwood, against Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson. Kaymer said: “This has been a truly great year for me and winning this award is the perfect ending. It is recognition for my performances in 2010 and to be voted for by the golfing media, the people who watch and report on our sport throughout the year, makes me feel very proud. “I am always trying to follow in Bernhard Langer’s footsteps and to see that I have now won an award that he was the first to win back in 1985 is very satisfying indeed. I followed in his footsteps earlier this season by winning a Major Championship, playing in a winning Ryder Cup Team and being given Honorary Membership of The European Tour and now I have taken another step by winning the Golfer of the Year Award. But he is still many steps ahead of me! “Graeme and I had pretty much the same level of success this season in terms of the Majors and on The European Tour and he deserves this recognition as much as I do. His winning match in The Ryder Cup was huge for all of Europe and for both of us to now make history in terms of sharing this award for the first time, represents a very proud moment for both our families and also shows how strong European golf is right now.” McDowell, 31, won three times on The European Tour International Schedule, beginning with victory in The Celtic Manor Wales Open in June on The Twenty Ten Course where he would play such a pivotal role in Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph a mere four months later. Like Kaymer, he then went on to pick up his first Major Championship victory in the United States, an emotional success in the US Open Championship at Pebble Beach where his dad Kenny was on hand, on Fathers’ Day, to see his son become the first European golfer to win the US Open in 40 years, since Tony Jacklin triumphed at Hazeltine National in 1970. His third victory came in the Andalucia Valderrama Masters at the end of October, a win which helped reignite The Race to Dubai and he chased Kaymer all the way to the final event – the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates – eventually having to settle for a career high of second place with season earnings of €3,896,995. Sandwiched between his victories in the United States and Spain was his second Ryder Cup appearance and one which ended in nail-biting fashion as, in the last singles out on the course, he was handed the task of getting Europe over the winning line which he achieved with a thrilling 3 and 1 victory over Hunter Mahan which saw Colin Montgomerie’s Team win 14 ½ - 13 ½. Like Kaymer, he too contributed two and a half points overall to the European cause. McDowell, who climbed to a career-high seventh on the Official World Golf Ranking following his victory in the Chevron World Challenge, said: “I am truly humbled to accept this coveted award. It is the icing on the cake on what has been a very special year for myself, Martin and everyone involved in European golf. It is an honour to share this award with a player of Martin’s calibre. He is one of the best players of our generation and I am sure will enjoy many more successes in the years to come. “We have both enjoyed superb seasons, winning our first Major Championships and numerous other tournaments across the world. However, to be jointly voted European Tour Golfer of the Year by the members of the media makes me very proud. I would like to thank everyone involved with The European Tour and the wider golf media for their hard work in promoting our sport around the world. “I achieved many of my dreams this season and feel fortunate to have enjoyed some very special moments. However, the highlight of the year for me was being a part of the winning European Ryder Cup Team at Celtic Manor. There is nothing quite like the atmosphere of The Ryder Cup and the experience of playing for both your team-mates and the European fans under the most extreme pressure. I hope that I am lucky enough to play in many more successful teams in the future.” Iain Carter, Golf Correspondent of BBC Radio Five Live and a member of the judging panel, explained the reason why the historic verdict to give the award jointly had been taken. “Like Colin Montgomerie when he was faced with the decision of who to select for his wild cards for The Ryder Cup, I think the panel faced the most difficult judgement call in the history of this award,” he said. “It is an extraordinary move I know but one which we felt reflected an extraordinarily successful year for The European Tour and one which also properly honoured two men who are not only exceptional golfers, but who are also exceptional people and who both promoted European golf superbly in 2010. “Both won their first Major Championships in 2010 and were part of a winning European Ryder Cup Team and, wherever you looked during the season they always seemed to be together at the head of affairs. Even their statistics show that while Martin narrowly shaded the Stroke Average Category by 70.04 to 70.07, in the Putts per Greens in Regulation Category, Graeme had the edge by 1.755 to 1.756. “These margins are too close to differentiate one of these great golfers from another and it was fitting to see that they ended their season tied together in 13th place in the Dubai World Championship. They were side by side in the desert and the panel could not separate them so therefore they will stand side by side in the history books as winners of this prestigious award.”

Poulter posts the numbers in November

2010-12-03T14:16:00.002Z

Ian Poulter has won The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month award for November following his victory in the UBS Hong Kong Open and two other top ten finishes in a superb end to the season. The Englishman, who receives an engraved alms dish and a jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne in recognition of his achievement, triumphed at Hong Kong Golf Club by one shot from Italian teenager Matteo Manassero, posting an impressive 22 under par 258 which included a stunning ten under par 60 in the second round. The victory was sandwiched between a tie for sixth place in the Barclays Singapore Open in defence of the title he won the previous year, and the runners-up spot at the season-ending Dubai World Championship presented by DP World. Having tied at 14 under par 274 with Sweden’s Robert Karlsson after four rounds over the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, the pair traded birdies at the first play-off hole before Poulter dropped his ball on his marker on the green of the second extra hole. The marker moved, initiating a one shot penalty, which was enough for Karlsson, who birdied the hole anyway, to clinch the title. It was an unfortunate finish for Poulter, but he was widely praised not only for the fact he alerted the rules officials to the incident, but for the way he graciously accepted the situation and the subsequent defeat. His prize money for second place, however, took him to a career-high fourth in The Race to Dubai, with earnings of €3,027,008 for 2010. Veteran television commentator Renton Laidlaw, a member of the judging panel, said: “Ian has been in tremendous form over the last month and he was thoroughly deserving of his victory in Hong Kong. Not only does he produce some fantastic golf, he entertains the crowds with his flair and colourful character. “He was just outside the top ten in the WGC-HSBC Champions in China and ran Adam Scott close to put up a wonderful defence of his title in Singapore before winning in style in Hong Kong. To then also play as well as he did once again in Dubai before showing sportsmanship at the end of the tournament, means he is not only a worthy winner of the award this month, but also a credit to the game.” It was a difficult decision for the judging panel, comprising a cross section of the golfing media, who considered yet another month on The European Tour where each and every victory had strong merits. The panel commended Italy’s Francesco Molinari, who went head to head with World Number One Lee Westwood to win the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai; Robert Karlsson, who claimed his second European Tour title of the season in Dubai, and Adam Scott, who won the Barclays Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club for the third time in six years. However the decision went to Poulter who now has the honour of being the only player to have won a monthly award twice in 2010 having picked up February nomination following his victory in the WGC-Accenture Match Play in Arizona.Other winners of the award in 2010 are South Africans Charl Schwartzel (January), Ernie Els (March) and Louis Oosthuizen (July); the English duo of Luke Donald (May) and John Parry (September); the Northern Irish pair of Rory McIlroy (April) and Graeme McDowell (June), Germany’s Martin Kaymer (August) and Italian Matteo Manassero (October). The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year will be decided next week.

Manassero makes his Presence Known

2010-11-30T13:21:00.001Z

Italy’s Matteo Manassero is today named The Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year for 2010 following a record-breaking start to his professional career highlighted by him becoming the youngest player to win in the history of The European Tour. Manassero launched his professional career in the BMW Italian Open at the beginning of May and in 14 starts since then has won the CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar at the age of 17 years and 188 days; earned €890,401 to finish in 31st place in The 2010 Race to Dubai; and played 54 rounds for which he was 73 under par with only seven scores over 72. “It is a big honour to win the Rookie of the Year award,” said Manassero, who follows many of golf’s greatest names such as Sir Nick Faldo, Tony Jacklin, Sandy Lyle, José Maria Olazábal and Colin Montgomerie, as well as many of today’s biggest stars including Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Paul Casey and Europe’s new Number One, The Race to Dubai winner Martin Kaymer, as a recipient of the Award. “I never expected to win on Tour so quickly and to win the Rookie of the Year Award is a perfect way to end my first season as a professional. It is such a special award because you only get one chance to win it so it is a great honour. “When you see the amazing players that have won the Award in the past, you see how important these players were in golf’s history and to have your name beside them is exciting.“Then you see that Martin Kaymer won the Rookie of the Year only three years ago and now he is the Number One in Europe after winning The Race to Dubai. I hope I can follow in Martin’s footsteps one day.” Manassero creates another piece of history by becoming the first Italian to win the Award which is judged by The R&A, the Association of Golf Writers and The European Tour. He is also the tenth golfer from Continental Europe and 46th recipient in total of The Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award which was launched in 1960. He became the youngest winner of the Amateur Championship in 2009, and the youngest player to claim the Silver Medal for leading amateur in The Open Championship that same year when he finished tied 13th at Turnberry. In April of this year he became the youngest amateur to compete in the Masters Tournament and, furthermore, the youngest player to make the halfway cut. He created another record when in only his 11th European Tour event as a professional he achieved his maiden victory at the CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar at the age of 17 years and 188 days to become the youngest winner in the Tour’s history, beating the previous record of New Zealand’s Danny Lee who won the Johnnie Walker Classic aged 18years and 213 days in 2009. Manassero also became the youngest person to become a full European Tour Member, surpassing the legendary Seve Ballesteros who was 17 years and 200 days when he joined the Tour at the end of the 1974 season. Manassero was not without competition for The Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award with the English trio of Gary Boyd, James Morrison, winner of the Madeira Islands Open BPI - Portugal, and John Parry, who captured the Vivendi Cup 2010, all enjoying excellent first seasons. But it was the 25 year old Welshman Rhys Davies, who graduated from the 2009 European Challenge Tour alongside Boyd and Parry, who provided the sternest challenge to Manassero as he climbed to 18th in The Race to Dubai during an outstanding season which included a victory in the Trophée Hassan II tournament. George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “Matteo’s arrival on The European Tour coincided with what many observers of the game regard as the most exciting season in our history. He has increased the interest in golf, especially with youngsters in Europe, and indeed throughout the world. He is another exceptionally outstanding winner of the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award.”

McDowell's Ryder Cup Reward

2010-11-18T12:03:00.001Z

Graeme McDowell’s heroic 20 foot birdie putt at the 16th hole of his Ryder Cup singles match against Hunter Mahan has secured the Northern Irishman The European Tour Shot of the Month Award for October. The 2010 Ryder Cup had come down to the bottom single at The Celtic Manor Resort, and McDowell rose to the challenge by sinking that crucial birdie putt before wrapping up a trophy-winning 2 and 1 victory on the 17th. All square with three to play, McDowell knew that European hopes of regaining The Ryder Cup lay firmly and squarely on his shoulders. A halved match with Mahan would have resulted in a 14-14 tie and enabled the United States to keep the cup on their side of the Atlantic. However, the 2010 US Open Champion held his nerve and after finding the putting surface at the 16th McDowell stepped up to the mark and holed that slick downhill 20 footer for a birdie three to effectively puncture Mahan’s challenge. McDowell said: “The 16th was massive. It was a fast putt and I just had to get the ball going. Thankfully it caught the edge of the hole and dropped. I can honestly say it was the best putt I've hit in my life. “I had a massive amount of emotions going through my head, especially when I realised that my match was going to be hugely important. As my teammates started filtering back to me out on the course I found that Rickie Fowler had just halved his match, and a half wasn't good enough in my game any more. “I was really nervous over every shot. I think the 16th was the greatest second shot and the greatest putt I've ever hit in my career. It was just an amazing feeling.” In second place was Martin Kaymer’s superb second shot off the tarmac road at the 18th hole at the Old Course, St Andrews, with the resulting birdie securing a third title of the year, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Third was Matteo Manassero’s approach to the 14th in the final round of the CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar, which helped pave the way for the Italian teenager to collect his first European Tour title. The Shot of the Month is awarded to the Tour Member for the stroke judged to be the best played each month on The European Tour International Schedule. At the end of next week’s Race to Dubai, the winning shot from each month will be nominated for The European Tour Shot of the Year Award, which will be announced at the end of December. The monthly winners to date in 2010 have been Martin Kaymer of Germany (January and August), England’s Ian Poulter (February), Noh Seung-yul of Korea (March), Lee Westwood of England (April), England’s Luke Donald (May), McDowell of Northern Ireland (June and October), Miguel Angel Jiménez of Spain (July) and Edoardo Molinari (September).

Pascal and Hopkins in Boxing Showdown

2010-10-20T17:16:00.002Z

Legendary former World Light Heavyweight and Middleweight Champion and future first-ballot Hall of Famer Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins will fight for the World Boxing Council (WBC) and Ring Magazine 175-pound championship against current linear champion Jean Pascal as the main event of "Dynasty: Pascal vs. Hopkins" on Saturday, December 18 from the Pepsi Coliseum in Québec City, Canada. The event will air live in the United States on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). For Hopkins, (51-5-1, 32 KO's), the age-defying throwback pugilist from Philadelphia, Pa., a win overPascal (26-1, 16 KOs), the 27-year-old upstart world champion from Montreal, Canada, means becoming the oldest fighter in the history of the sport to win a prominent world title and the continuation of his boxing dynasty. "Everyone knows I don't like to travel outside the United States to fight, but here we have another fresh face, who happens to be the light heavyweight champion, calling my name," said Hopkins. "I just say 'here we go again.' I am going all the way to Québec City, Canada to once again show that young and tough doesn't always mean good and smart. Let's see if he can stop me from beating him up and taking the title home to the States. It is these types of fights that get me motivated to train hard and once again prove that no one should ever count me out." For Pascal, the fight signifies a dream come true as he looks to get the win over the formidable Hopkins and to start a dynasty of his own. "Two months ago I defeated a top-five pound-for-pound fighter viewed by many as the best light heavyweight in the world in dominant fashion," said Pascal, of his win over then-undefeated Chad Dawson in August. "Now it's time to take on the legendary future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins and finally send him into his well-deserved retirement. He's an old fox, but I'm the young wolf. He may be the master, but I am the commander. I know he may have more experience than any fighter out there, but on December 18, I will show the world once again exactly why I am top dog in my division." "Dynasty: Pascal vs. Hopkins" is promoted by Group Yvon Michel Inc. and Golden Boy Promotions and presented by the Casino de Montreal and The City of Québec Tourism. The 12-round world championship fight will take place December 18 at the Pepsi Coliseum in Québec City, Canada and will be televised live on SHOWTIME® in the United States. Canadian broadcasts will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV and Viewer's Choice on pay-per-view in French and English. "Jean Pascal is a special young fighter in this day and age, a true throwback to the glory days of boxing" said Yvon Michel, president of Groupe Yvon Michel. "He believes that the best must fight the best, and he has shown it time and again, never turning down a true challenge. He shook the world with his win over Chad Dawson in August, and when he finishes 'The Executioner' on Dec. 18 in Québec City, he should be a lock for Fighter of the Year, an accolade given only once to a Canadian boxer in the history of our sport." "One thing I have learned over the years is that you can never count Bernard Hopkins out," said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer. "Bernard is at his best when the challenge is great and his fight against Jean Pascal is a great challenge. On Dec. 18, I expect to see yet another history-making performance from Bernard Hopkins that no fight fan should miss." "We have an amazing lineup of world championship boxing on tap to close out the year on SHOWTIME, the finale of which is this classic crossroads fight," said Ken Hershman, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports®. "We are thrilled to welcome Bernard Hopkins back to SHOWTIME in what could be an historic night for him and we're proud to welcome Jean Pascal in his network debut. Dec. 18 will put an exclamation point on another banner year for SHOWTIME boxing." "Quebec City is quickly establishing itself as a true hotbed for boxing fans. Hosting this mega-fight between Pascal and Hopkins is an incredible opportunity to bring Quebec City into the spotlight of millions of viewers in Canada, the United States and across the world thanks to SHOWTIME," said the Mayor of Quebec City, Mr. Régis Labeaume. "In addition to witnessing a historic Championship battle, the thousands of fans who come to take part in this incredible event live at the Pepsi Coliseum will also get the opportunity to discover Quebec City and the all-new Christmas events we have planned that are sure to make our beautiful city the destination of choice for the holiday season." Dec. 18 marks the amazingly ageless Hopkins' first fight since he settled his 17-year long rivalry with fellow future Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. via lopsided 12-round decision this past April. The 6-foot-1, 45-year-old won the World Middleweight title the first time on SHOWTIME in 1995 and continued to defend that title 20 times, solidifying his place as one of the bestmiddleweights in the history of the sport. In an incomparable 22-year career that began in October 1988, when Pascal was just five-years-old, Hopkins has defeated many of boxing's all-time greats. Signature wins include a stunning 12th round stoppage of Felix "Tito" Trinidad in 2001, a ninth round knockout of Oscar de la Hoya in 2004, a unanimous decision win over Antonio Tarver in 2006 which crowned him Light Heavyweight World Champion and a dominant win over Winky Wright at 170 pounds in 2007. Perhaps the most impressive win of Hopkins' career came in October of 2008 when he "schooled" a then-undefeated Kelly Pavlik in a shocking unanimous decision, proving to the world that Hopkins is a true testament to the phrase "age is nothing but a number." The 5-foot-11 Pascal, who turns 28 on Oct. 28, is looking to prove his status as one of the top fighters in the world. He catapulted into global prominence after he registered one of the year's biggest upsets in his last outing when he defended his WBC crown and captured the vacant Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight title with a shocking 11th-round technical decision over heavily favored Chad Dawson on Aug. 14. Pascal performed magnificently against Dawson and was ahead on all three judges' scorecards (108-101 and 106-103 twice) when the fight was stopped after an unintentional head-butt opened up a huge cut above Dawson's left eye. Pascal, one of the most highly decorated amateurs ever to come out of Canada, has come a very long way in a stellar professional career spanning less than six years. After winning the NABO, NABA, and NABF 168-pound belts in 2007, the opportunity to fulfill his dream of winning a world championship came in December 2008 when he traveled to England to take on the undefeated Carl Froch in his hometown of Nottingham for the WBC Super Middleweight World Championship. Pascal dropped a close decision to Froch in a heart-pounding back and forth battle that many boxing insiders called the Fight of the Year. The young Pascal took his first and only defeat in stride and just six months later, in his first fight at his new weight of 175 pounds, defeated the dangerous and then-undefeated Adrian Diaconu for the WBC Light Heavyweight World Championship. Dec. 18 will mark Pascal's fourth defense of that title and his first defense of the prestigious Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Championship.

Chisora's shot at Heavyweight Champion

2010-10-12T11:10:00.001Z

Dereck Chisora has done what David Haye didn't do - sign to fight not one, but BOTH Klitschko brothers. The unbeaten Londoner first takes on WBO/IBF world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on December 11 in Mannheim, Germany, and if he wins then he could face Vitali, the WBC world champion, next. Haye talked big about fighting the Klitschkos but never backed up his words. He was due to face Wladimir, but pulled out with a back injury and then negotiated to fight Vitali, but instead fought Nikolay Valuev. Chisora, 26, says he will be the man to end the Klitschkos reign of heavyweight boxing. "This is about glory for me and becoming the heavyweight champion of the world, something I've dreamed about since I started boxing," said Chisora. "Haye will not fight the Klitschkos as long as they are champions, but I'm up for the fight and will take them on," "The Klitschkos have ruled for too long and I can't wait to get into the ring in Germany and smash the living daylights out of Wladimir first," "Vitali is waiting in the background and I'll deal with him once I've dealt with Wladimir," "Wladimir is a good strong champion, technically excellent, but I believe I can bring something new to beat him," "I'm a young, fresh and hungry challenger and I've got the punch back me up," "An opportunity like this may not come around again or for a long time so I've got to take it now and believe me, one shot is all I need." Finchley puncher Chisora beat rival Sam Sexton to claim the Commonwealth title last month and earlier this year he ended the career of Danny Williams. Frank Warren, who signed Chisora after he won the 2005 ABA Super-Heavyweight title, said, " This is a tough fight for Del and a big step up for him, but he's confident that he can do a job on Wladimir," "When I talked to him about the opportunity, he insisted that I took it. Unlike David Haye, for Dereck this about the challenge, not the money. He really believes that he can beat Wladimir." "It's in the contract that if he beats Wladimir then he has to face Vitali next, but he's got a big job ahead of first," "He's taking himself out of London and into a training camp, away from any distractions, to totally focus on the fight," "December 11 could be a double celebration for me as I have my 30th anniversary show taking place and if Dereck wins the world heavyweight title."

Kaymer the King at St Andrews

2010-10-11T12:46:00.001Z

Germany’s Martin Kaymer fulfilled his dream of winning a golf tournament at St Andrews after a flamboyant 66 on the Old Course earned him victory in the 10th Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Despite breezy and difficult conditions, scoring was phenomenal with shouts ringing out all over the course as birdies rattled in, but the biggest cheer came when Kaymer putted from off the green at the formidable 17th Road Hole for a birdie three to effectively clinch the title. For good measure he birdied the 18th hole as well despite hitting his drive on to the road. Throughout the final day he had once again shown the steely resolve which helped him become a major championship winner at just 25 at the US PGA in August, as he held off a series of formidable challenges to secure his third consecutive strokeplay win, something not achieved by any player since Tiger Woods in 2006. The tournament, conceived as a celebration of links golf, is played over three of the world’s best known and respected links courses - the Old Course at St Andrews, the Championship Course at Carnoustie and the highly regarded Kingsbarns Golf Links. Many of the spectators who crowded the Old Course had come to see Lee Westwood crowned as World No 1, a ranking he could have achieved if he had finished 1st or 2nd, but he was never able to get his game going and produced just three birdies on a day when most of his rivals were doing much better. In the end it was Kaymer, another of Europe’s Ryder Cup heroes from Celtic Manor, who had the crowd on their feet as he produced a splendid round of seven birdies and just one bogey for a 72 hole total of 17-under-par to beat England’s Danny Willett by three shots, with overnight leader John Parry a further shot behind. Kaymer said: “It was always one of my dreams to win at St Andrews. I can still remember my first day here as an amateur and walking down the 1st hole, over the bridge, all those things. They felt very special to me. It was very special for me to win here today. Three in a row, well three-and-a-half if you include the Ryder Cup – it wasn’t just my own win – is pretty good. I was never expecting that I could win three tournaments in a row, so I don’t really have an answer for why I am playing so well at the moment.” He said he had no problems getting motivated after the Ryder Cup. “To come here to St. Andrews, I think you owe that golf course 100 per cent concentration. That's what you have to bring when you want to play golf. Just to come here for me is a privilege, to win here is fantastic, ” said Kaymer who now moves into the top five in the world rankings after receiving the winner’s cheque of US$800,000 (£500,000. German businessman Patrick Roseler, who was playing with Kaymer in the Team Championship, has known him since he was 14. He said: “We are very good friends. I caddied for him in the 2007 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. To be able to walk up the 18th hole at the Old Course with him as he was winning the title in such style was just a great experience. His birdie-birdie finish was sensational. He got the Ryder Cup out of his mind and was just so focused on what he had to do to fulfil one of his greatest golfing dreams – which was to win at the Home of Golf. We spoke about it before and during the tournament. For him, it is a dream realised and for me it is simply the best week I have ever had in golf.” Kaymer got off to a perfect start. While he birdied the 1st hole, overnight leader Parry had a bogey to see his two shot lead wiped out in minutes. But Kaymer was not able to hold on to that advantage and by the turn Parry was back in the lead by one. But, as at Carnoustie on Saturday, Parry just did not have his putting stroke in control and three-putted the 11th and 13th before hitting his second shot into a bush at the 14th for a double bogey seven which ended his challenge. Meanwhile other challengers began to appear, none more dangerous than young Englishman Danny Willett, who produced a faultless round including three birdies and an eagle at the par five 14th for a 67. Like Kaymer, his putt from off the green at the Road Hole took a similar line, but while Kaymer’s dropped in, Willett’s stayed resolutely out. He said: “It's been a good week. I've been playing well all year and played really nice today. The 17th was big, obviously, with Martin holing that putt, but it’s still a good result. He putted well today and when he's had a chance to make birdie and stay up there, he's done it. Take your hat off to him.” Another plucky young Englishman Gary Boyd put together five birdies before coming to grief with a bogey at the Road Hole, but finished fourth on 12-under-par. Defending champion Simon Dyson produced one of the rounds of the day with a 66, to finish tied one shot further back with top finishing Scot Martin Laird, 67, and Spain’s Alvaro Quiros, who had a level par 72. Laird, who plays his golf predominantly on the US Tour, said: “The only five I had all day was on the 17th and that's playing really tough right now. I’m obviously very happy. I've not hit one practice putt or practice ball all week, and sometimes when you just kind of relax and don't expect much, you have good weeks and that's what it has been this week, just having fun at home, staying with my parents in Kirkcaldy.” Although he did not move to the No 1 position in the world rankings, Lee Westwood, who has been suffering with a leg injury, was happy with his week. “I was obviously not at my best physically, and woke up this morning and it was hurting more than the other days. So all in all, I don't suppose seven under-par is too bad. I’ll take where I am in the world rankings. I've had a great year up until getting injured. Look at all world ranking points I've won. The world rankings at the moment show the strength of European golf. We've had some fantastic accomplishments from players in majors this year from Louis (Oosthuizen), Martin (Kaymer), Graeme (McDowell), and I finished second a couple of times as well, so there have been some brilliant performances and it's no wonder the top of the world rankings are stacked with Europeans.” Partnering the professionals have been an enthusiastic group of talented amateur golfers competing for the Alfred Dunhill Links Team Championship which was won by Irish businessman Dermot Desmond and 2008 individual professional winner Robert Karlsson with a total of 30-under-par, two shots ahead of Soren Hansen & Kieran McManus. Dermot Desmond, who has played in all ten Alfred Dunhill Links Championships but has never won, said he feared he would “always be the bridesmaid”. His great friend and business partner, fellow Irishman J.P. McManus, has already won twice, but the best Desmond could do before this triumph was finishing once as runner-up. “J.P. has held the bragging rights in this event, but I was very pleased for him when he won, so I imagine he will feel the same now that I have finally managed to come out on top, said Desmond.” Former Scotland international footballer Alan Hansen, playing with Richie Ramsay, finished in ninth on 25-under. He said: “We have had a fantastic time. I played really well today, in fact I played better than I did yesterday but I just couldn’t hole the putts whereas yesterday they were flying in. I’ve had such a great time. To finish 25-under and only getting two shots every day has been tremendous. To make the cut and play on the Old Course on the last day has been great. Richie has been fantastic and we’ve had a laugh every day. I’ve enjoyed it.” Lisa O’Hurley finished joint 12th on 22-under, playing with Finnish professional Mikko Ilonen. She earned the bragging rights in the family after making the cut ahead of her husband and comedian John O’Hurley with whom she shares a fierce golfing rivalry. She said: “This is my favourite week of the year. I plan the other 51 weeks around this and I have worked very hard coming into here – I practised a lot, got new clubs, got lessons. Everything. I was the only woman who made the cut and same last year, so I feel pretty good. I get very excited about that. I’ll talk about it to John the rest of the year.” Also playing have been celebrities from the world of entertainment which included film and TV stars Matthew Goode, Hugh Grant, Samuel L Jackson, Kyle MacLachlan, James Nesbitt and Aidan Quinn. Also taking part were rock music legend Huey Lewis and Michael Flatley, the Irish/American step dancer who created Riverdance, and popular Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans. Three of Britain’s sporting knights – Sir Ian Botham, Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Steve Redgrave - led a locker room full of sporting heroes, including Dutch football legends Johann Cruyff and Ruud Gullit, former England player Jamie Redknapp and ex-Chelsea and Italy star Gianfranco Zola. Rugby was represented by three great former internationals, All Blacks former captain Sean Fitzpatrick, Scotland’s Gavin Hastings and Argentina’s Hugo Porta, while cricketers Allan Lamb and Michael Vaughan of England and Steve Waugh and Shane Warne of Australia were also in the field, along with immensely popular former Wimbledon tennis player Tim Henman and Austrian downhill skier Franz Klammer. The first Alfred Dunhill Links Championship was staged in 2001, but Alfred Dunhill’s support for golf at St Andrews, through the Alfred Dunhill Cup, an international team championship that took place from 1985 to 2000, goes back 26 years.

Monty gets a Heroes Welcome

2010-10-05T13:35:00.002Z

Heroic Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie returns in triumph to his native Scotland this week to play in the 10th Alfred Dunhill Links Championship along with nine other members of his successful European team – Ross Fisher, Peter Hanson, Padraig Harrington, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Edoardo and Francesco Molinari, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood.Scottish golf fans are certain to turn out in their thousands to salute Montgomerie, back on home soil, after leading his side to a thrilling 14½-13½ win against the United States at Celtic Manor to regain the Ryder Cup. A wonderful reception is guaranteed for all the players and particularly for US Open champion Graeme McDowell, Europe’s anchor-man, who showed nerve and courage to bring home the final point which clinched victory. McDowell, now one of the most formidable players in world golf, will be hoping to celebrate his Ryder Cup tour-de-force with victory this week at St Andrews, where he lost in a sudden death play-off to Stephen Gallacher in 2004.In one of the strongest ever line-ups in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the Ryder Cup heroes will be joined by a world-class international field including three-time major champion Ernie Els, double US Open winner Retief Goosen, former US Open champion Michael Campbell, former Open champion Paul Lawrie, defending champion Simon Dyson and flamboyant American golf star John Daly. Big-hitting Daly won the 1995 Open Championship at St Andrews and is looking forward to playing again on a course he loves. He also won the US PGA Championship in 1991. The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which celebrates links golf at its finest, is played over three of the world’s best known and respected courses – the Old Course at St Andrews, the Championship Course at Carnoustie and the highly regarded Kingsbarns Golf Links.With a prize fund of US$5 million, the championship incorporates two separate competitions - an individual professional tournament for the world's leading golfers and a team event in which the professionals are paired with some of the most celebrated amateur golfers which creates a unique atmosphere.Celebrities from the world of entertainment include film and TV stars Matthew Goode, Hugh Grant, Samuel L Jackson, Kyle MacLachlan, James Nesbitt, John O’Hurley and Aidan Quinn. Also taking part are rock music legend Huey Lewis and Michael Flatley, the Irish/American step dancer who created the Riverdance, and popular Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans. A trio of Britain’s sporting knights – Sir Ian Botham, Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Steve Redgrave - lead a locker room full of sporting heroes, including Dutch football legends Johann Cruyff and Ruud Gullit, former England player Jamie Redknapp, Chelsea and Italy star Gianfranco Zola and Scottish defender Alan Hansen. Rugby is represented by All Blacks former captain Sean Fitzpatrick, Scotland’s Gavin Hastings and Argentina’s Hugo Porta, while cricketers Allan Lamb and Michael Vaughan of England and Steve Waugh and Shane Warne of Australia will also be teeing off. The immensely popular former Wimbledon tennis player Tim Henman will be back, along with Austrian downhiller Franz Klammer.The first Alfred Dunhill Links Championship was staged in 2001, but Alfred Dunhill’s support for golf at St Andrews, through the Alfred Dunhill Cup, an international team championship that took place from 1985 to 2000, goes back 26 years.

McIlroy's mission in Hong Kong

2010-09-28T15:43:00.001Z

After two successive second-place finishes at the UBS Hong Kong Open, Rory McIlroy will return to the Hong Kong Golf Club in an effort to complete “unfinished business” from November 18-21. One of the game’s fastest rising stars, McIlroy currently lies seventh in the Official Golf World Rankings and is preparing to make his Ryder Cup debut in Wales this week. The Northern Irishman is one of the biggest draws in world golf and has been a huge attraction during the last two editions of the UBS Hong Kong Open, finishing second after a thrilling play-off with Lin Wen-tang in 2008, and taking second spot behind Grégory Bourdy at Fanling last year.“I think it would be fair to say that I have some unfinished business in Hong Kong,” said McIlroy. “I’m looking forward to returning to Hong Kong and I won’t rest until I have the Hong Kong Open title in my bag.” With McIlroy committed to completing unfinished business in Hong Kong, golf fans from around the region are expected to flock to Fanling to see him take a third successive tilt at the title. “UBS puts on a brilliant event, and Hong Kong is one of the most exciting cities in the world. I love the city and the golf course at Fanling so it was an easy decision to come back this year and try to win the title.“It is a very important week in the Schedule. It is the last tournament before the Dubai World Championship so if you can perform well in Hong Kong it gives you great confidence for the final event of the season. “I hope to come to Hong Kong early this year to experience more of the city. We don’t always have time to enjoy some of the great destinations that we visit - and for me, Hong Kong ranks as one of the best cities in the world.” Kathryn Shih, CEO of UBS Wealth Management, Asia Pacific, commented: “The UBS Hong Kong Open has entered a new era and all of us at UBS are committed to ensuring that it remains one of the region’s top sporting events. Clearly, Rory’s return to Hong Kong for a third shot at the title will add an extra dimension to the excitement. “I am a great admirer of Rory’s attitude”, added Shih. “After coming so close with two thrilling finishes in recent years, his unrelenting pursuit of success is reminiscent of our corporate philosophy of constantly striving to achieve success for our clients. Rory will be a great addition to the tournament and I am sure that his presence will be welcomed by golf fans across the region.” McIlroy has enjoyed another fine season at the very highest level of the world game, the highlight of which came in America as he rampaged to his first PGA Tour victory with a final round 62 at the Quail Hollow Championship earlier in the year. Two joint third-place finishes in the final two Majors of the season – The Open Championship and US PGA Championship – have kept the 21 year old at the summit of the World Ranking as he looks forward to making his Ryder Cup debut for Europe versus the USA before heading for Hong Kong.

Khan to light up Las Vegas

2010-09-23T15:26:00.001Z

With fans from the United States to England to Argentina clamoring for it for well over a year, super lightweight supremacy will finally be decided on Saturday, December 11, when British superstar Amir "King" Khan returns to the United States for his second consecutive bout to defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) 140-pound World Championship against ferocious Argentinean knockout artist and WBA Super Lightweight Interim World Champion Marcos Maidana at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The highly anticipated bout will be televised live in the United States on HBO's World Championship Boxing. "Maidana has been doing a lot of talking and he's talked his way into a fight now," said Khan. "Unfortunately for him, his mouth isn't going to help him in the ring and I'm going to prove to him that I'm on another level on December 11." Maidana responded by saying, "Khan's been running from me for a long time, but the running stops on December 11. I'll show him how a champion acts and fights when we get into the ring in Las Vegas." Oscar de la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions said, "This is a fight the fans have asked for and we're giving it to them as an early holiday present. I believe these are the two of the top 140-pound fighters in the world and with Khan's speed and Maidana's power, this fight is going to be explosive." "Marcos has proven he is a force to be reckoned with in the 140-pound division and we are confident that he will expose Amir's flaws and come out with his hands raised in victory," Dietmar Poszwa, of Universum Box Promotion, Maidana's co-promoter. "December 11 is going to be an explosive night and you will not want to miss it." Khan vs. Maidana, a 12-round WBA Super Lightweight World Championship bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Khan Promotions and Universum Box Promotion. The HBO World Championship Boxing broadcast begins at 9:30pm ET / 6:30pm PT. Amir "King" Khan (23-1, 17 KOs), only 23 years old, already has sailed to the heights of the amateur and professional boxing world, however he is far from finished on his quest to becoming the best of his era. An accomplished amateur who earned a Silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics at just 17 years old, the Bolton, England native took the professional game by storm in 2005 and with the exception of a brief bump in the road in 2008 when he was upset by Breidis Prescott, Khan has since been unstoppable. A World Champion since 2009, when he defeated Andreas Kotelnik in July of that year, Khan has since defended his crown twice, stopping Dmitriy Salita (TKO1) and Paul Malignaggi (TKO11) in impressive fashion. Now he's ready for his greatest challenge in Maidana. A hard-hitting battler from Santa Fe, Argentina, 27-year-old Marcos Rene "Chino" Maidana (29-1, 27 KOs) paid his dues on the local circuit in Argentina before getting his shot at the big time in 2009 when he faced Kotelnik for the WBA Super Lightweight World title. After 12 hard-fought rounds, Maidana lost a controversial split decision, but just four months later, he scored an impressive technical knockout win over highly-touted contender "Vicious" Victor Ortiz for the interim WBA World title. Maidana has been even more impressive in his subsequent bouts as he has defended the interim crown against William Gonzalez (KO3), Victor Cayo (KO6) and DeMarcus Corley (W12). All of that is well and good, but all along he has said that what he really wants is to capture the WBA title with a win over Khan, and he'll get his chance on December 11.

Brothers in arms in Portugal

2010-09-20T09:49:00.001Z

Edoardo and Francesco Molinari, the first brothers to represent Europe in The Ryder Cup, have both confirmed their participation in the €3 million Portugal Masters at Oceanico Victoria Golf Course in the Algarve from October 14-17. Edoardo, 29, and Francesco, who will be 28 next month, have captured the imagination of the golfing world this year by gaining admittance into that most elusive of clubs – Ryder Cup Team Members – after a series of superb performances on The European Tour. In fact, it was Francesco’s runner-up finish at Oceanico victoria Golf Club last October, and the accompanying €333,330 prize, which propelled him on his way to one of the automatic qualifying places in Colin Montgomerie’s Team heading for Wales next week.
Only the last-day brilliance of England’s Lee Westwood halted Molinari in his tracks, after he had led for the first two days and went into the final round just one shot behind South African Retief Goosen. Westwood closed with a 66 to Molinari’s 70 to win by two strokes. Francesco, who has played in all three previous editions of the Portugal Masters, said: “I am looking forward to getting back to Portugal. Last year was a really good week for me and was probably the closest I have been to the second win of my career. “It was exciting going head to head with Lee Westwood over a great golf course. It is one of those courses that there are a lot of ways to play and I think it is a course that will always end up with a very good winner for the tournament.” “It is a great time of the year to go to Portugal because the weather is usually perfect and everything about the place is really good – the hotel, the food and the area are amazing and it is a very nice change from the Dunhill Links the week before because we usually spend the week there in jumpers, jackets and woollen hats! The Portugal Masters is one of the best weeks on Tour. “ Edoardo, one of Montgomerie’s wild cards for The Celtic Manor Resort showdown with the United States next week, endorsed his younger sibling’s views on the course and event, which he played in 2008.“Unfortunately I missed the cut, but I am very much looking forward to returning to Oceanico Victoria Golf Club this time with – hopefully – a much better chance of winning. I have improved quite a lot since I last played there.” He added: “I remember watching the final round on TV back in Italy and hoping that Francesco could pull off a big win, but on the day Lee just happened to play some great golf to pip him. Hopefully we will both be in contention this time around!”

Westwood in Portugese Defence

2010-09-13T10:45:00.001Z

World Number Three Lee Westwood is relishing the opportunity to defend his Portugal Masters title, 12 months after the victory which ignited his ascent to the summit of European golf. The Englishman finished two strokes clear of Italian Francesco Molinari and four ahead of Padraig Harrington last year to capture his first European Tour victory in more than two years, during which time he had lost three play-offs and recorded an astonishing 26 top ten finishes. Westwood’s 19th visit to the winner’s enclosure as a European Tour champion lit the blue touch paper, and he promptly made it 20 when he captured the season ending Dubai World Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Westwood’s Portugal Masters victory and €500,000 first prize contributed towards the 37 year old winning the inaugural Race to Dubai ahead of Rory McIlroy and subsequently being named The 2009 European Tour Golfer of the Year. His return to Oceânico Victoria Golf Course,Vilamoura, as champion from October 14-17 will be his first appearance in stroke-play competition following his seventh Ryder Cup appearance for Europe at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. “I’m really looking forward to returning to Oceânico Victoria Golf Course and defending my title,” said Westwood. “It was a great venue to finally capture another victory after two years without one. I’d had a number of near misses in that time so it was special to finally get my hands on a trophy and to then go on to win the inaugural Race to Dubai on the back of that made it a year to remember.” Westwood fired successive weekend rounds of 66 at the Oceânico Victoria Golf Course to capture the title last year. He had entered the final round three shots adrift of former US Open Champion Retief Goosen but birdied each of the first four holes and produced a magical escape through the trees on the par five 17th hole to then tap in for birdie and then par the last for victory. Westwood, who has finished runner up in both the Masters Tournament and Open Championship this season and won for the first time in 12years on the US PGA Tour, has missed all of August and September with a calf injury but retains aspirations of a successful double defence – of his Portugal Masters title and Race to Dubai crown. “It would mean a great deal to me to successfully defend my Portugal Masters title,” he said. “Last year I held off some great players in Francesco Molinari, Padraig Harrington and Retief and it will be just as tough this year with seven of my Ryder Cup Teammates in the field”

Kaymer's hits the top in August

2010-09-10T14:03:00.001Z

Martin Kaymer has won The Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month Award for August following his magnificent victory in the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. The 25 year old, who receives an engraved alms dish and magnum of Möet & Chandon champagne, produced a clinical and ultimately devastating performance to overcome Bubba Watson of the USA in a three-hole play-off to claim his first Major title and become only the second German to win one of golf’s Major prizes. Kaymer’s victory sealed an unprecedented season in the Majors for The European Tour as he followed Graeme McDowell (the US Open) and Louis Oosthuizen (The Open) as the third European Tour Member to win a Major in the same season.“It is always an honour to be named The European Tour Golfer of the Month but to get the award for winning a Major is even better,” said Kaymer, speaking at the KLM Open.“It’s great news that I have won it and my brother will be pretty pleased because he was saying to me recently that winning the PGA will mean I will win the Golfer of the Month and he was right. “This is the third time that I have won the award and it is always nice to be voted for awards like this because it is more recognition for a great achievement.” It comes as no surprise that Kaymer secured the August award but he did have some serious competition, especially from Swede Peter Hanson, Spain’s Miguel Angel Jiménez and Italy’s Edoardo Molinari – a trio that used the month of August to secure their places alongside Kaymer in Colin Montgomerie’s European Ryder Cup Team.Hanson’s outstanding victory in the Czech Open took him inside the automatic qualifiers for The Ryder Cup squad, before Molinari made himself an irresistible wild card choice for Montgomerie by winning the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles – the last counting event for Ryder Cup qualification. Jiménez, meanwhile, performed well to tie for seventh in the Czech Republic before cancelling his invitation to his nephew’s wedding in order to keep his place on the Team at Gleneagles, where a tie for third place ensured that he would make a fourth Ryder Cup appearance at the age of 46. Kaymer joins South Africans Charl Schwartzel (January) and Ernie Els (March), the English pair of Ian Poulter (February) and Luke Donald (May), the Northern Irish duo of Rory McIlroy (May) and McDowell (June) and Oosthuizen (July) among the candidates for The Race to Dubai Golfer of the Year on The European Tour, which will be decided at the end of the season.

Harrington warms up for Ryder Cup

2010-09-08T15:16:00.000Z

Padraig Harrington has confirmed that he will play in the Vivendi Cup 2010, as he looks to hone his game ahead of taking his place in the European Team for The 2010 Ryder Cup. The three-time Major Champion will join fellow Ryder Cup teammates Peter Hanson and Edoardo Molinari, as well as Vice Captains Thomas Björn and Paul McGinley, in the field for the €1,250,000 tournament at Golf de Joyenval, in Paris, France, from September 23-26. It will be the Irishman’s first appearance on European soil since he finished second in the 3 Irish Open at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, where he carded a superb final round 64. Harrington will head to Paris hoping to capture his 15th European Tour title and first since his victory in the 2008 US PGA Championship – the third of his Major Championship wins after back-to-back Open Championships in 2007 and 2008. He said: "I am really looking forward to playing in the Vivendi Cup. Having heard many great things about the Golf de Joyenval, I am delighted to be playing there for the first time. “I enjoy the Pro Am format very much and I will be playing with my brother which should make for a very enjoyable week." Harrington was selected as one of Colin Montgomerie’s three Captain’s picks for The 2010 Ryder Cup, which will take place at The Celtic Manor Resort the week after the Vivendi Cup 2010. It will be his sixth Ryder Cup appearance after making his debut in the contest in 1999.

Jimenez eyes Portugese Prize

2010-09-07T15:41:00.000Z

Miguel Angel Jiménez, who captured his third title of a spectacular 2010 season in last weekend’s Omega European Masters, will aim to add the Portugal Masters to that impressive haul at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course on the Algarve next month. Jiménez, who climbed to eighth in The Race to Dubai with his three stroke victory in Switzerland, has confirmed that he will join a star-studded cast in the €3 million tournament from October 14-17. The new World Number 27 is seeking his first Portugal Masters crown, having played in all three previous editions from 2007. Jiménez played in all four rounds each time but is relishing the chance to contend for the title and €500,000 first prize this time around. Jiménez, an automatic qualifier for Europe’s Ryder Cup Team to face the United States at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales next month said: “The Portugal Masters is a great tournament. Coming from Spain, I appreciate the warm weather and the wonderful facilities at Oceanico Victoria Golf Course with the new Tivoli Victoria Hotel so close by.. “The Spanish and Portuguese are like brothers because we are next door neighbours and we appreciate the good things in life like the nice food and fine wine which we get on the Algarve.” Jiménez has racked up 11 of his 18 European Tour titles since he turned 40 in January 2004 and the cigar-smoking man from Malaga added with a laugh: “Maybe I am also like a good wine – I am getting better with age!” A third Ryder Cup appearance awaits the popular Spaniard, and he said: “I think everything is shaping up really well for Celtic Manor. Our Team members have won five times in the last month so I am looking forward to going to Portugal with The Ryder Cup back in Europe.”

Jimenez's magical shot in July

2010-09-02T10:20:00.003Z

Miguel Angel Jiménez of Spain has won The European Tour Shot of the Month Award for July following an inspired piece of improvisation at the world famous ‘Road Hole’ at St Andrews. In the third round of The Open Championship over the Old Course, Jiménez found himself tucked in a near impossible position beneath the wall which forms the course boundary beyond the notorious road behind the 17th green. However, the Spanish Ryder Cup player opted to take the brave option of facing the wall with his back to the green and playing a miraculous shot against the stone dyke. The ball ricocheted off the wall over Jimenez’s head onto the putting surface. A truly brilliant stroke, worthy of the Shot of the Month Award. Jiménez recalled the moment as he prepared to compete in his 22nd consecutive Omega European Masters in Crans-sur-Sierre, saying: “I was less than six inches from the wall and I didn’t really have much option other than to play the ball.“There was no place to drop it. I took out my sand wedge and hoped to get a good break but I had no idea how it would turn out as you can’t practise that sort of shot! I was happy to see the ball bounce the right way over my head and onto the green.“ Second place went to Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa for the long eagle putt at the ninth hole in the final round of The Open which effectively sealed his first Major title, while St Andrews was also the venue for the third placed shot, a towering approach to three feet played by Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy at the 17th on his way to an opening-day 63 in The Open. The Shot of the Month is awarded to the Tour Member for the shot judged to be the best played each month on The European Tour International Schedule. At the end of the season, the winning shot from each month will be nominated for The European Tour Shot of the Year Award. The monthly winners to date in 2010 have been Martin Kaymer of Germany (January), England’s Ian Poulter (February), Noh Seung-yul of Korea (March), Lee Westwood of England (April), England’s Luke Donald (May) and Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland (June).

McDowell to feature in Austria

2010-09-02T10:18:00.001Z

US Open Champion Graeme McDowell is planning to fine-tune his game for The Ryder Cup by playing in the Austrian Golf Open presented by Botarin at Diamond Country Club near Vienna later this month. The €750,000 tournament, from September 16 – 19, is the penultimate European Tour event before Colin Montgomerie’s European Team takes on the USA at The Celtic Manor Resort, and after a few weeks’ rest McDowell is aiming to sharpen up over the 7,053 yard par 72 Diamond Course. The Northern Irishman sealed his place in Europe’s Team with his historic victory at Pebble Beach in June, a week after he clinched The Celtic Manor Wales Open over The Twenty Ten Course. Having also finished fourth at the Madrid Masters a week earlier, McDowell has enjoyed a well-deserved rest since playing in the US PGA Championship. “I have taken a few weeks’ break after the US PGA to focus on the rest of my season and to be fresh for The Ryder Cup,” said the 31 year old. “My next and only tournament before Celtic Manor will be the Austrian Golf Open. I have always enjoyed playing in Austria and I see this as a good opportunity to become sharp ahead of our match against the United States. “I have a good record in Austria, having finished ninth in 2007 and eighth in 2008, both at Fontana Golf Club. In 2008, which was also a Ryder Cup year, I had a great chance to win, or at least get a top three, in Austria which would have given me valuable Ryder Cup points. Unfortunately I played aggressively on the last, found water, and slumped to eighth. Thankfully a month later I had some great results, including a win at The Barclays Scottish Open, which secured my place on Sir Nick Faldo's team. “So it looks like Austria will have yet another indirect say in my preparations for a Ryder Cup, and I am looking forward to checking out the new venue at The Diamond Country Club.” Diamond Country club takes over the staging of the Austrian Golf Open – which was first played in 1990, when Germany’s Bernhard Langer took the title – from Fontana Golf Club, the host venue for the past seven seasons. The course, which opened in 2002, features water hazards on nine of the 18 holes, including the 192 yard 11th and 159 yard 15th holes, where both tee shots are played to island greens. McDowell will be joined in Austria by his Ryder Cup team-mate Miguel Angel Jiménez, Todd Hamilton, the 2004 Open Champion, Simon Khan, winner of this year’s BMW PGA Championship, and is defending champion Rafael Cabrera-Bello, who won in stunning style last year, shooting a sensational 60 in the final round to win by one shot from Benn Barham.

Gallas crosses North London Divide

2010-08-24T09:34:00.001Z

William Gallas has said that he cannot wait to open the latest chapter of his already illustrious career after putting pen to paper on a one-year deal with the Club. The France defender trained with his new team-mates on Monday and arrives in N17 with two Premier League titles and a League Cup winner’s medal to his name from his time at former club Chelsea, as well as 84 international caps for France. And despite being one of few players to cross the North London divide, having spent the last four seasons at Arsenal, William is focusing on the positives and getting his fitness levels back up. In an exclusive interview, he said: ““The atmosphere is great here. I like that and I’m just looking forward to playing as soon as possible and winning some games. “It was not an easy decision [having played for Arsenal] but I am here now and I will give my best. What is most important to me is to play games and to give everything. “I just want to be fit as soon as possible, train with my teammates and play matches. I want to show everybody I am still here.” William joins us at an exciting time for the Club as we prepare for our first-ever Champions League tie at White Hart Lane with the second leg of our Play-Off with BSC Young Boys coming up on Wednesday. We trail 3-2 from the first leg but William is confident the team can overturn the narrow deficit and progress to the group stages. Our latest signing has played in Europe’s elite competition in each of the past seven seasons and believes his new club are more than capable of competing at that level. And he insists the sky is the limit for us domestically after our top four Premier League finish last season. William added: "Finishing fourth last season shows Spurs have improved a lot and I hope this season we are going to finish even higher, maybe even win the Premier League. We just have to believe in ourselves. We have got young players with great quality, they just have to believe in their capacity to do something and I hope we can achieve this. "Spurs are ready for the Champions League, even though they lost the first game. I have seen the game and the team showed character to come back.“I am confident we will win that game on Wednesday because all the players know it is very important to play in the Champions League.“I have played many games in the Champions League. It is the best level to play at as you are up against the biggest teams and you can show how good you are. “The atmosphere is so great. When you hear the music, you just want to get on the pitch and battle for 90 minutes, and it would be good for Spurs.”

McDowell makes his Mark

2010-08-11T08:55:00.001Z

Graeme McDowell’s towering seven iron tee shot on the fifth hole of his final round in the US Open Championship at Pebble Beach has been awarded The European Tour Shot of the Month for June. Having started solidly with four pars, McDowell needed something to kick start the quest which would ultimately bring him his first Major Championship and he got it at the testing 195 yard fifth hole, a superbly struck shot pitching in the perfect spot at the front of the green before rolling up to within eight feet of the pin from where he holed for a birdie two. “That shot was a big turning point for me,” said McDowell. “It set up my first and only birdie of the final round. I hit a seven iron which pitched exactly where I wanted it to and it released down to about eight feet on a very tricky par three. That was a big swing for me and gave me the confidence to go on and get the job done that afternoon. It was the right shot at the right time. It was one of the shots I look back on as one of the key shots during the round.” The honour marked a notable award double for the 30 year old Northern Irishman who also picked up The Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month Award for June following his memorable triumph on the Californian coastline. June provided a plethora of excellent shots for the judging panel to consider and, after much deliberation, second place went to Denmark’s Thomas Björn while South Africa’s Ernie Els took third. Björn’s shot of note came on the final hole at Penha Longa – an exquisite pitch from 94 yards to within two inches of the hole to help him claim the Estoril Open de Portugal title in style, while Els’ stroke of genius came at the short 12th hole in the final round of the US Open – his five iron tee shot pitching in the fringe in front of the green before rolling up to a foot from the hole. The Shot of the Month Award is presented to a Tour Member for the shot judged to be the best played each month on The European Tour International Schedule. At the end of the season, the winning shot from each month will go forward to contest The European Tour Shot of the Year, won in 2009 by Argentina’s Rafa Echenique for his albatross two at the final hole of the BMW International Open in Germany. The monthly winners to date in 2010 have been Germany’s Martin Kaymer (January), England’s Ian Poulter (February), Korea’s Noh Seung-yul (March), England’s Lee Westwood (April) and England’s Luke Donald (May).

Recognition for Open Champion

2010-08-06T08:50:00.001Z

South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen has been named The Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month for July following his magnificent seven shot victory in the 150th Anniversary Open Championship. The 27 year old claimed his first Major title at the venue where every player wants to win – the Old Course at St Andrews – and he will receive an engraved alms dish and a jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne in recognition of his fantastic achievement. His opening round of 65 went into the record books as the lowest opening round by a winner while his 16 under par total of 272 helped give him the seventh biggest winning margin in Open Championship history. By lifting the Claret Jug, Oosthuizen followed in the footsteps of fellow South Africans Bobby Locke, Gary Player - four and three-time Open Champions respectively - and 2002 Champion Ernie Els, whose Foundation helped develop his career. He also became the sixth South African golfer in total to win a Major Championship. Furthermore, a week later, he almost made history again at the Nordea Scandinavian Masters, his bid to become the first player to win The Open Championship and triumph in the next event falling narrowly short as he finished joint fourth. “Winning The Open was special but winning at St Andrews was something else, it was incredible,” said Oosthuizen. “It was bigger than I ever imagined. You have this picture in your mind what it's going to be like after a Major win, and I think it was ten times what I expected. It’s been a fantastic reaction.” Peter Dixon, Golf Correspondent of The Times, said: “This was a stunning performance in difficult conditions. Louis took everything that was thrown at him, from the weather to the players giving chase, and came out comfortably on top. He is a worthy winner of the monthly award.” Oosthuizen returns to action at the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club this week after a celebration at his home club of Mossel Bay in South Africa, where he has had a new bridge dedicated to him and had the pleasure of trying out the new tractor on his farm, purchased on the back of his Open success. Aside from Oosthuizen, July was an impressive month for European Tour Members, all of whom were highly commended by the panel of golfing media. The month began with Miguel Angel Jiménez winning the ALSTOM Open de France to become the oldest winner of Continental Europe’s oldest Open. Edoardo Molinari continued his meteoric rise with victory in The Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, lifting him into the world’s top 20 for the first time. Ross Fisher claimed his fourth European Tour title by winning the 3 Irish Open while on the US PGA Tour, Justin Rose captured his second victory of the season by winning the AT&T National. There was also honourable mention made of Bernhard Langer, who became the first player since Tom Watson in 2003 to win back to back Senior Major Championships when, in consecutive weeks, he captured the Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard at Carnoustie and the US Senior Open at Sahalee in Washington. Oosthuizen joins fellow South Africans Charl Schwartzel (January) and Ernie Els (March), the English pair of Ian Poulter (February) and Luke Donald (May) and Northern Irishmen Rory McIlroy (April) and Graeme McDowell (June), as candidates for The Race to Dubai Golfer of the Year on The European Tour, which will be decided at the end of the season.

Monaco Mayhem for Froch and Abraham

2010-07-16T11:52:00.001Z

Following weeks of intense negotiations, SHOWTIME Sports® is proud to announce that Hennessy Sports and Sauerland Event—the promotional outlets for world-class super middleweight boxers Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham—have agreed to a location for their fighters’ crucial Super Six World Boxing Classic bout. On Saturday, Oct. 2, in the capital city/state of Monaco, Abraham and Froch will meet at the Chapiteau de l’Espace Fontvieille for their pivotal Group Stage 3 match up in the boxing tournament that has ignited the industry. The bout will be televised on SHOWTIME® at 9 p.m. ET/PT (same day delay). The fight will also be televised live on UK TV from approximately 10pm. Hennessy Sports and Sauerland Event are currently working with Principality officials in Monaco to finalize all the necessary authorizations for this event as they expect it to be one of the biggest fights in the history of the region. The Principality of Monaco is situated on the Mediterranean Sea in the south west area of Europe, some 1,400 km from Abraham’s home in Berlin and over 1,000km from Froch’s native Nottingham, England.“The intensity of the selection process for this venue speaks to the enormity of the moment created by the Super Six World Boxing Classic,” said Ken Hershman, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “All the fighters in the tournament have set out to prove that they are the world’s best at 168-pounds by fighting their peers—the most dangerous men in the division—fight after fight. Any perceived advantage or disadvantage has been calculated. “To the credit of all involved, each hurdle has been cleared and the Super Six World Boxing Classic now marches on toward a thrilling conclusion.” This bout is the last of the Super Six Group Stage matches. Following Abraham vs. Froch, the four fighters with the highest point totals on the Super Six scoreboard will advance to the semi-finals, tentatively slated for the first quarter 2011. Froch (26-1, 20 KOs) is coming off a hard-fought unanimous decision loss, the first of his career, to Mikkel Kessler on April 24. That night, during the post-fight press conference, Wilfried, and his son Kalle Sauerland and Mick Hennessy began publicly disputing the venue selection for the Abraham vs. Froch contest. At the time, Abraham (31-1, 25 KOs) held the tournament lead with three points by virtue of his KO win over Jermain Taylor in Group Stage 1, but was out boxed and ultimately disqualified in his Group Stage 2 bout versus Andre Dirrell for the first loss of his career. Froch remains tied at the moment with Kessler and Dirrell at two points.“I cannot wait to get back in the ring,” said Abraham. “I am thrilled that the date and the venue have been set. I must admit that the disqualification against Dirrell still haunts me. Only a victory over Froch can put my mind at rest. I was ringside when he fought against Kessler and I must say I was impressed with both men. They really fought their hearts out. Froch is a hell of a fighter, but so am I. This will be the biggest, the most important fight of my career, and I will put on a special performance to please the boxing fans in Monaco, France, Germany, England, America and all over the world.” "I'm training hard already for 'King' Arthur,” said Froch from his training centre in Sheffield. “I respect what the man brings to the table, but I'm going out there to knock Abraham's crown right into Kalle's lap,” he added in response to Sauerland’s bold predictions on the outcome of this fight. "Make no mistake about it, I fully appreciate the threat that Abraham presents to me in this fight. Whenever two warriors go into battle there will be bloodshed. But there will be only one victor in Monaco and that will be The Cobra," Froch concluded. The Sauerlands are filled with anticipation. “The Super Six tournament has been outstanding thus far,” said Kalle. “We’ve had so much drama and so many high-class fights. Kessler versus Froch was as good as it gets but believe me, Abraham-Froch will be even better. It’s win or go home! I honestly can’t see this going the distance. I have a lot of respect for Froch as a fighter but I think that his style is tailor-made for Abraham. The King will knock The Cobra out – no doubt about that. The only question is in which round.” Hennessy also expects a toe-to-toe war and believes the Englishman will come out victorious inside the distance “This is a mouth-watering match up against two of the best and toughest fighters in the game,” Hennessy said. “If you thought Carl’s last fight against Kessler was epic just wait for Froch vs. Abraham. This has all of the ingredients to be the fight of the decade. “I have a lot of respect for Arthur in and outside of the ring, but unfortunately on the 2nd October he will come up against a highly driven and fully motivated Carl Froch. When Carl’s is in that sort of mode he will prove he is the best of the best and will secure three points for a knockout win, showing the world once again that he is a very special fighter.” The Super Six World Boxing Classic continues on Saturday, Sept. 25, when SHOWTIME will present a world championship doubleheader to kick off Group Stage 3—the final Group Stage of the round-robin portion of the tournament. First, Kessler will look to lock up a semi-final berth with a win over Allan Green. Kessler is making the first defense of his second world title, the WBC 168-pound strap he wrested from Carl Froch. Green is desperate for a win to have a shot at the semi finals. He may need a knockout and/or help from his fellow competitors to earn one of the four spots. Immediately following, live on SHOWTIME, Andre Ward will face 2004 U.S. Olympic teammate and friend Andre Dirrell in what promises to be a dramatic affair. Ward has already locked up his semi-final berth as the only contestant to win both of his initial Group Stage matches. But, make no mistake, Ward promises a fierce defense of his WBA world championship belt and undefeated professional record. Dirrell, on the other hand, needs a win to guarantee his place in the semis. Conceivably, Dirrell could get in with two points but he would need help from Green and/or Abraham.

Barker and Macklin to throw Bombs

2010-07-16T11:48:00.001Z

Matthew Macklin and Darren Barker promised a thrilling fight to live up to the big stage they have been given by promoter Frank Warren. The pair meet in a European middleweight title clash on September 18 at the LG Arena, Birmingham. It's all part of the Magnificent Seven event - which actually features nine championship fights - that forms part of a big night of boxing live and exclusive on Sky Box Office. And it is heading for a 13,000 sell out. "This fight was scheduled for two years ago, but I'm glad it didn't happen then," said Macklin on the first of a two-city press tour taking in London and Birmingham. "It would have been good but it would have gone on in a leisure centre somewhere. "Now it is for a bigger belt and it's going to be at the LG Arena, one of the biggest arenas in the country. It was 20 years ago that Benn and Eubank fought there at middleweight. "This is just as big a fight and can be just as good." Barker added: "I've been preparing for a fight like this ever since I turned professional. "I'm glad I've got it because it will be a defining fight for me. I might have the British, Commonwealth and European titles, but I'm not the number one middleweight in the country. "I will be when I beat Macklin. "He's a great fighter but I think although we are both 28, I am a fresher 28.He's had some hard fights and that is going to be a problem when he fights me." Warren, who marks his 30th year in boxing with one of his most ambitious cards, said much was at stake for both men. "Whoever wins is probably going to fight for a world title," he said. "I'm talking to Matt at the moment about that, and if Darren wins then his people will be working hard for him. "Both these boys have got good rankings with the governing bodies, and a win is going to bring an improvement."

Harrison climbs the World Rankings

2010-07-13T17:05:00.000Z

Audley Harrison has moved closer to a World Heavyweight title shot after moving up to 15th in the latest WBC rankings. The 38 year-old vacated the European title he won against Michael Sprott in April at Alexandra Palace in London in June to pave the way for a massive title fight when he returns from injury in October. The 2000 Olympic gold medallist underwent surgery for a torn Pectoralis muscle after the Sprott fight and says he will be fully fit in the autumn, and his significant rise up the rankings means a potential bout with David Haye is on the cards. “This makes a World title shot very much a reality and the dream is within reach now,” said Harrison. “It’s been a long road and an interesting journey but I'm focused on getting the job done and securing my destiny and becoming Heavyweight Champion of the World.” Harrison’s career has always divided the boxing world but there is no doubting that the Londoner now living in Las Vegas is a box office draw and his promoters Matchroom Sport say there are a number of possibilities for Audley’s next bout. “Everyone knows just what Audley Harrison brings to the table and the new rankings give him the credibility to get that shot,” said Eddie Hearn, Harrison’s promoter. “We are looking at a number of options right now and we hope to make an announcement in the next two weeks with regards his next fight.”

Brain box Cleverly masters Maths

2010-06-25T15:24:00.001Z

European light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly is celebrating after picking up a 2:2 in his maths degree. But the 23-year-old Welshman says that when it comes to boxing, he's going to get nothing but first class honours. Cleverly sat his finals last month at Cardiff University, and is understandably delighted after passing his exams with flying colours and will graduate next month. "It's the culmination of four years hard work," he said. "It has not been easy because I've had to juggle my committments with boxing as well. "All the other students in my year have been able to concentrate full time on getting their degrees. "But as well as crunching numbers, I've had to fight for the British, Commonwealth and European titles as well, and spend most evenings hitting the heavy bag and doing numerous press ups and sit ups." It's increasingly difficult for graduates to get jobs, but Cleverly has a ready-made career for him. And there is little doubt that he will make it right to the very top of his chosen career. He will now turn his attention to boxing full time, and is hoping to nail down a world title shot by the end of the year. "I leave the matchmaking to my promoter Frank Warren, but I'm ready for a shot right now," said Cleverly. "I'm going to be a much better fighter when I go full time, and people are going to see a massive improvement in the next six months. "Hopefully I can get a quick defence of my European title in, then it's a question of waiting for my opportunity at world level."

McDowell toasts American success in Ireland

2010-06-22T11:51:00.001Z

3, Ireland’s largest high speed network, and The European Tour have today announced that Graeme McDowell will play at this year’s 3 Irish Open, when the tournament returns to Killarney Golf and Fishing Club from 29th July to 1st August.Graeme McDowell will bring his Major presence to the 3 Irish Open at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club from July 29 – August 1, determined to continue his dream summer by adding his national Open to his magnificent US Open Championship triumph.The Ulsterman became the first Irishman in history to lift the US Open with his victory at Pebble Beach on Sunday, as the 30 year old stormed from 37th to 13th in the Official World Golf Ranking and straight to the top of The Race to Dubai. McDowell’s first Major win has also cemented his place in Europe’s Ryder Cup Team to face the United States in Wales this October, but before that he wants to add the 3 Irish Open trophy to his burgeoning trophy cabinet at home in Portrush.“To be able to tee up at the 3 Irish Open as the US Open Champion is going to be pretty special,” said McDowell after his one-stroke victory over Frenchman Grégory Havret at Pebble Beach.“I look forward to the 3 Irish Open every year, but to able to compete in front of the Irish fans as a Major winner will be an awesome feeling. It’s shaping up to be a great event down in Killarney – I know that 3, The Tour and Failte Ireland are working hard on putting together a great event over the bank holiday weekend.“We are looking at having a great field this year in a fantastic location and you can start to feel a lot of optimism around the 3 Irish Open.” There has been a unique synergy between the 3 Irish Open and Major Championships since Fred Daly, like McDowell born in Portrush, won the title at Portmarnock in 1946 then moved on the next year to capture the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. American Hubert Green won the 1977 US Open then two months later the 3 Irish Open and that was followed by Seve Ballesteros (Masters Tournament – 1983, Sir Nick Faldo (The Open Championship – 1992) and Padraig Harrington (The Open Championship -2007) each winning a Major and the Irish title in the same year. Robert Finnegan, CEO of 3, said; “We are delighted to be able to announce that US Open winner Graeme McDowell will play at this year’s 3 Irish Open. Graeme has been an outstanding talent in golf for a long time now and it’s great to see him become the first European to win the US Open title for 40 years. To have world class players like Graeme standing on the tee in Killarney amongst many of the other top international golfers will make the 3 Irish Open one of the best sporting events in Ireland this year. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club over the August Bank holiday weekend.” Mary Hanafin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, said: “Graeme put in a stunning performance at the US Open. Being the first European in 40 years and the first Irishman ever to win this prestigious major title is a marvellous achievement for Graeme and is a testament to his dedication, commitment and the long hours of practice put in by professional golfers. Graeme’s victory has lifted the spirits of Irish people, and we look forward to welcoming him to Killarney to watch as he competes with some of the world’s best golfers at the 3 Irish Open.” Maurice O’Meara, General Manager of the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, said: “Killarney Golf & Fishing Club would like to sincerely congratulate Graeme on his extraordinary win at Pebble Beach over the weekend. It is a true sign of the strength of The European Tour at the moment. We look forward to welcoming Graeme to Killarney as US Open champion. The late Payne Stewart was welcomed here for the Irish Open in 1991 as US Open Champion and we are sure that Graeme will receive a wonderful welcome here on his arrival as a Major Champion. His participation in the 3 Irish Open will attract massive following and will only add to what we hope will be a wonderful festival of golf.” George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “Graeme’s outstanding US Open triumph is another illustration of the strength in depth of the European Tour. Graeme has continued a remarkable run for European Tour Members with 14 major championship wins since the turn of the century, including three by Padraig Harrington, and we look forward to seeing him welcomed home as a Major winner at the 3 Irish Open.” McDowell will join world number three Lee Westwood and world number ten Rory McIlroy as one of the star attractions at the 3 Irish Open

McDermott in grudge Rematch

2010-06-10T12:45:00.002Z

JOHN MCDERMOTT has laughed off Tyson Fury’s claims that he will knock him out in their rematch. Manchester Romany gypsy Fury (10-0) risks his English heavyweight title against the Essex man (25-6) at The Brentwood Centre on Friday June 25 in a contest that also doubles as a final eliminator for the British title. Fury was a controversial points winner when they clashed last September and is confident of winning inside the distance this time. McDermott was stopped in the first round by Matt Skelton in December 2005, but had serious family problems at the time. He said: ““I wasn’t right when I boxed Matt Skelton and it took me a long time to get back from that and I was questioning myself. “Nobody knows what was going on then and if they did then they would accept what happened in the ring that night.” Since then McDermott hasn’t been down in nine contests and taken Danny Williams’ shots flush on the chin for 24 rounds. He added: “I boxed Danny Williams twice. I took some tremendous punches, so I have no worries about my chin. “Fury is supposed to be a fantastic puncher, but his shots never bothered me at all. Everything he threw I just walked through and I bashed him myself.” In a big clash of prospects Southern Area heavyweight champion Larry ‘The War Machine’ Olubamiwo meets North Shields Dave Ferguson (12-2) in a British heavyweight title eliminator. Other heavyweight bruisers on the bill includes Olympic bronze medallist David Price (6-0), Tom Dallas (10-0) and much talked about debutant Dillian ‘The Villain’ Whyte. Also boxing on Maloney’s latest knockout show is are Ashley Sexton (9-0-1), Menay Edwards (3-0), Tony Hill (4-1) and Lewis Pettit (1-0).

Fury vs McDermott Fight Two

2010-05-27T16:36:00.000Z

Former English heavyweight title holders Tyson Fury and John McDermott will meet for the second time in 10 months on Friday 25th June, in what will be one of the most eagerly awaited rematches that the UK has seen in recent years. The British Final Eliminator clash between the two heavyweights will take place in front of the Sky Sports HD cameras at the Brentwood Centre, Brentwood.“After discussions and us agreeing to the terms of the fight, contracts were signed and sealed yesterday, so it’s down to serious training for the next 4 weeks” said the Unbeaten Fury. Fury outpointed McDermott in a closely fought contest over 10 rounds back in September when he was crowned the English Champion. “I can’t wait for this one as there was a lot of controversy surrounding my win in September last year, but it wasn’t a 100% Tyson who won on that night. It was my first 10 rounder and maybe I wasn’t prepared for a war as much as I should have been, but I will make sure no stone is left unturned this time”.“McDermott gained my respect that night for being one hell of a tough fighter”. Added Fury. Fury recorded his 10th consecutive win against German Hans-Joerg Blasko back in March when the referee jumped in and stopped the contest after knocking his opponent to the floor twice in the 1st round. "I got caught with a couple of silly shots that night against Blasko which was frustrating but we've been working hard on improving my defence, but what people have to remember is that I am still only 21, I still have a lot to learn and one of the things that the McDermott fight has taught me was not to underestimate my opponents, but I still believe I done enough against him to win on the night” Mick Hennessy Said: “Due to a delay with the licence application, the new Manchester venue did not receive approval in reasonable time, so promoting this great event would have been very difficult in such a short space of time. So we applied to the board for an extension for the contest to take place on the 17th July, but this request was rejected. So Tyson and myself have agreed to the terms and the new date in the spirit of getting this fight on so Tyson can set the record straight once and for all and then move on”.Fury added “John showed that night he is one of the best heavyweights in Britain apart from me and David Haye. John would beat the likes of Chisora or Harrison if he had the opportunity.” “We will both have earned it so Win, Lose or Draw I hope John will join me for a Big Mac and fries after the fight, my shout”

Murray in a hurry for a World title

2010-05-10T09:01:00.002Z

JOHN Murray claimed the European lightweight belt and immediately set his sights on an all-English world championship clash with Kevin Mitchell. Manchester-based Murray, 25, won the vacant European title on Friday with an 11th round stoppage of Cardiff’s Gary Buckland in Matchroom Sport’s latest boxing show. Murray also held on to his British belt with a dominant performance at the Kingsway Leisure Centre in Widnes. However, Murray now wants to fight the winner of next Saturday’s WBO world title clash between Londoner Kevin Mitchell and Australia’s Michael Katsidis. “Mitchell fights Katsidis and there’s no reason why I can’t fight the winner – I’d love to,” said Murray in an exclusive interview with MatchroomSport.com.
“I shouted out Katsidis after the (Jon) Thaxton fight and Mitchell has come up a weight but now I’m back on the map and it’s time for me to kick on. “I’ve won the European title and want to start mixing with these guys. Both are strong warriors but I would love to fight them. “I think Mitchell can out box Katsidis but I’m not bothered who wins, I just want to fight the winner. “Mitchell is doing it the right way by taking chances and not avoiding anyone. “Full credit to him as he wants to fight the best to be the best so he is a man cut from the same cloth as me. “I wouldn’t duck anyone and neither would he so it would be a massive fight for us, the fans and a massive fight for Britain.” Friday night’s contest, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports, was the first time Murray had been in action since October but he did enough to extend his undefeated record to 29 fights. “It was a good performance considering the amount of time I’ve had out of the ring and I was pleased to get the rounds under my belt against a strong, ambitious kid,” added Murray. “It wasn’t a vintage performance but still good enough to grind out a win and that’s what you need to do. “Sometimes I thought I had him going and I could’ve picked up the pace and started putting the shots together cleaner. But I was pleased and didn’t lose a round. “Buckland had only lost one out of 19 and this was his big opportunity. Against a strong kid I had to show my quality and that’s what I did – I showed my class. “It was a tough night at the office but I did what I had to and got a stoppage. “I’m very proud to become European champion and I’ve done everything the right way. I’ve been WBC youth world title holder, Young Boxer of the Year, English champion and now European champion so the next step is world titles. “I’ve just broken into Ring Magazine’s top ten so I’m nearly there.”

McIlroy is April's Number One

2010-05-06T20:23:00.001Z

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was given a belated birthday present with the news he has been voted The Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month for April. McIlroy turned 21 on Tuesday May 4, two days after his stunning first triumph on the US PGA Tour in the Quail Hollow Championship, a victory which sealed his winning of the award in the eyes of the judging panel, which consisted of members of the Association of Golf Writers as well as radio and television commentators. McIlroy, who will receive a jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne as well as an engraved alms dish in recognition of his achievement, produced a performance of truly breathtaking ability at the Quail Hollow Club. Having made the weekend action right on the cut line, he stormed through the field with a best of day 66 on Saturday before a course record 62 on Sunday – a round which finished with six consecutive threes – saw him win by four strokes from Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. “I am thrilled to be recognised by The European Tour with this award, it really means a lot,” he said. “I'm really looking forward to getting back to Europe and playing in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and I suppose I will play there as the reigning Golfer of the Month which will be really nice. “Even now I am still thinking back to the victory at Quail Hollow. The final round was one of those rounds you are never going to forget to be honest. I was in such a good frame of mind going out that I knew I had a chance and there is no better feeling in the world than to go out and beat such a high quality field over such a good golf course.” It is the second time that McIlroy has won The Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month Award, the first time being in January 2009 following his maiden European Tour triumph in the Dubai Desert Classic. Although he was the ultimate choice of the panel, they did note a number of other sterling performances by European Tour Members across the fairways of the world in April. Included in that number was England’s James Morrison who claimed his maiden European Tour title in the Madeira Islands Open BPI – Portugal before losing in a play-off for the Open de España three weeks later to another player praised by the panel, Spain’s Alvaro Quiros. Also commended were Korea’s Y E Yang and Marcus Fraser of Australia for their respective victories in the Volvo China Open and the Ballantine’s Championship, while Bernhard Langer’s continued prominence on the US Champions Tour was recognised following his tenth title success in the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am. Finally, the panel acknowledged another fine month by reigning European Number One Lee Westwood who finished tied eighth in the Shell Houston Open on the US PGA Tour before pushing Phil Mickelson all the way at Augusta National in one of the most thrilling Masters Tournaments of recent years. McIlroy joins South Africans Richard Sterne and Ernie Els – winners of the January and March Awards respectively – and England’s Ian Poulter, who picked up the February Award, as candidates for The Race to Dubai Golfer of the Year on The European Tour, which will be decided at the end of the season.

Joint venture for Hong Kong Open

2010-05-04T14:58:00.001Z

EurAsia Golf Ltd, the innovative alliance between The European Tour and the Asian Tour, has made further impact on the world of golf with the announcement that it will promote the Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from November 18-21. This is the first time that EurAsia Golf Ltd has promoted an event in Asia and further illustrates the commitment to ensure unity and cohesion in the commercial and media aspects of both Tours, a pledge outlined when the joint venture was announced during The Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond last July. The 2010 Hong Kong Open will be co-sanctioned by The European Tour, the Asian Tour and the Hong Kong Golf Association and they joined together to pay tribute to the previous promoter, Parallel Media Group, for the company’s hard work and dedication in making the tournament one of the most eagerly anticipated weeks of the last eight seasons. Parallel Media Group maintains an ongoing relationship with this Tournament through a new contract with EurAsia Golf Ltd and will work with them in building the sponsorship family. Beginning in 1959, the Hong Kong Open became part of The European Tour International Schedule in the 2002 season, and has a rich history of winners including nine different Major Champions who have amassed 25 Major Championship titles between them. It will also, of course, be the final chance for players to book their places in the season-ending Dubai World Championship the following week, when the winner of The 2010 Race to Dubai will be determined. George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “The Hong Kong Open holds a special place in the sporting affections of Asia as well as amongst our Members, given its rich heritage which stretches back over 50 years. It is a truly prestigious tournament whose history is steeped in golfing folklore. “EurAsia Golf Ltd is delighted to be promoting the Hong Kong Open. The venture was borne out of a ten year working relationship between ourselves and the Asian Tour which stretches back to our first co-sanctioned tournament in 1999. “What we now have is a company ideally positioned not only to exploit and enhance the product across the two continents, but also to be easily accessible to international companies looking to develop their own individual strategy in both areas. This season’s Hong Kong Open will give a perfect illustration of that.” Kyi Hla Han, Executive Chairman of the Asian Tour, said: “The Hong Kong Open has always been one of the most prestigious events on the Asian Tour. This will be a great start to our EurAsia Golf Ltd alliance and we’re confident of maintaining its status on the global golf calendar by co-promoting it with The European Tour.” Iain Valentine, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Golf Association, said: “We are delighted to work with two leading professional golf bodies in managing our prestigious tournament, the longest-running sporting event in Hong Kong. Having been played at the Hong Kong Golf Club for more than 50 years it has long been one of the highlights of the sporting calendar in the region, and we look forward to welcoming The European Tour’s and the Asian Tour’s finest back to Fanling for what promises to be another great golfing spectacle.” Grégory Bourdy will be the defending champion for the 2010 edition of the Hong Kong Open. The Frenchman will be attempting to join Miguel Angel Jiménez in the record books as, to date, the Spaniard is the only player to have won the Hong Kong Open twice since it became part of The European Tour International Schedule, triumphing in 2005 and 2008. Prior to the 2002 season, however, Chinese Taipei’s Hsieh Yung-Yo won four times (1963, ‘64, ‘75 and ‘78) and Australian Peter Thomson triumphed on three occasions (1960, ‘65 and ‘67).

Chisora to face Williams at West Ham

2010-05-04T14:47:00.001Z

Rising heavyweight star Derek Chisora has finally got his opportunity at Danny Williams for his British Heavyweight title after Sam Sexton withdrew from his fight against the Brixton bomber. Commonwealth champion Sexton was due to face Williams on the undercard of Kevin Mitchell's world title fight at West Ham United football ground on Saturday 15th May, but Sexton has had to withdraw. Williams was supposed to fight Chisora in February at Wembley Arena when Sexton pulled out because of hand injury, but claimed he couldn't get himself in the right frame of mind to face the unbeaten Chisora. Finchley puncher Chisora instead fought Carl Baker in a British title eliminator who he stopped in two rounds. "First of all my thoughts are with Sam and his family at this time and I hope his mother makes a full recovery," said the 25-year-old. "The opportunity to fight Williams again was presented to me and took the fight straight away," "I was left frustrated by the messing about in the last fight when I was supposed to fight him and took my anger out on Baker, but I'm happy that Williams has seen sense and will fight me at West Ham," "I'm really psyched up for the fight already and this is the type of fight I need to bring out the best in me that people haven't seen yet," He added, "It's going to be a huge night at West Ham and I'm looking forward to being crowned British champion."

Masters Mickelson at Scottish Open

2010-04-27T13:35:00.000Z

Masters Champion Phil Mickelson has confirmed his entry to The Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond Golf Club from July 8-11. The American left-hander once again proved himself one of golf’s most gifted shot-makers during his unforgettable victory at Augusta National recently as he picked up the third Green Jacket, and fourth Major title, of his glittering career. Mickelson, a winner of 44 titles around the world, will return to the banks of Loch Lomond hoping to improve upon his second place finish of 2007 when he lost out to Frenchman Grégory Havret in a sudden-death play-off. “Returning to Loch Lomond for The Barclays Scottish Open is always a special week for me,” said Mickelson, who last played at Loch Lomond in 2008.“Everything about the tournament, from the sponsors, to the golf course and the stunning setting at Loch Lomond is as good as it gets in golf and I am proud to be associated with the event. “I would love to add The Barclays Scottish Open to my list of career wins: to be successful in Scotland, the home of golf, is something that every player would love to have on his resume and I am no different. “I have been close to winning The Barclays Scottish Open in the past, and it would be great to go one better than in 2007 when I narrowly missed out on the trophy in a play-off.” Mickelson is the first of the game’s elite players to commit to The Barclays Scottish Open, with other star names to be announced in the coming weeks. Event organisers are anticipating one of the strongest fields in the tournament’s history, one week before The 150th Anniversary Open Championship at St Andrews. There are few more exciting draws in golf than Mickelson, a point he proved emphatically at Augusta earlier this month. The 39 year old produced some mesmeric shot-making over the final two rounds, with his unbelievable eagle-eagle-birdie run on the Saturday afternoon helping him to a third round 67 that hauled him into contention and a final round showdown with Englishman Lee Westwood. Mickelson followed up his Saturday heroics with a sterling , bogey free 67 in the final round, and his miraculous approach to the par five 13th – a six iron from the Augusta pine needles that flew through a gap between two trees and soared over Rae’s Creek to just four feet – was the perfect summation of his powers as he captured his third Masters title.

Westwood & Co. at Wentworth

2010-04-26T12:10:00.001Z

World Number Four Lee Westwood has confirmed he will play in the BMW PGA Championship next month, completing a powerful trio of Englishmen in the world’s top ten who are chasing victory at Wentworth Club. Ian Poulter, the 2010 WGC – Accenture Match Play champion and World Number Six, has also confirmed his participation in The European Tour’s flagship event from May 20-23 after an absence of two years while World Number Eight, Paul Casey, returns to defend the title he won in dramatic fashion last May.Westwood, who was runner-up to Phil Mickelson at the Masters Tournament earlier this month, had his best performance at Wentworth Club in 2000, when he was tied second behind Colin Montgomerie on his way to becoming European Number One for the first time. He has been in a rich vein of form in the past 12 months, winning the inaugural Dubai World Championship in November to be crowned Europe’s Number One for 2009. He also finished third in The Open Championship and the US PGA Championship last year, before going one better in the first Major of 2010after a brilliant performance at Augusta National. Westwood, who celebrated his 37th birthday on Saturday, is relishing seeing the extensive redevelopment to Wentworth Club’s iconic West Course, which has undergone major work over the last year following a redesign of all 18 greens by three-time Major Champion Ernie Els. “They have changed it dramatically and to be honest I welcome the changes because the way I usually play on the course has meant that I have never really had a chance around Wentworth. Any change is a good change for me,” said Westwood. “I think that we will now have an even stronger field for what is our flagship event and that can only be good for the tournament. I would love to win it – the world ranking points on offer are great and the prize fund is one of the biggest in the world and it is The European Tour’s most prestigious event.” Poulter returns to the West Course for the first time since 2007, having enjoyed a tremendous start to the year, finishing second in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in January before going on to win the WGC-Accenture Match Play in February and finishing tied tenth in the Masters Tournament earlier this month. Those outstanding results have helped propel Poulter to the top of The Race to Dubai Rankings and he said: “I am delighted to be playing in the BMW PGA Championship again. It is a great Championship and I am looking forward to checking out the modifications to the West Course which Ernie has undertaken and I am sure the changes will be for the better.” Casey, who was beaten by Poulter for the the WGC – Accenture Match Play title in the first all-English final, is excited about returning to Wentworth Club as defending champion, having finally shaken off the rib injury which marred the second half of last season. “I know I’m going to have a good attitude about defending my title,” he said. “I’m intrigued to see what Ernie’s done and how the greens perform, but I know with these two par fives to finish we are going to have fun and excitement. Anything can happen, and that’s the beauty of Wentworth. “From the history, to the course, the clubhouse, the players…that is why everyone one of us playing on The European Tour wants to win. Just stand in the middle of the first fairway and look back at the tee and that famous clubhouse and it makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.” Another Englishman in the World top 20 – Luke Donald – has also entered for the sixth successive season. The 32 year old from High Wycombe, who has twice finished in the top three in the past three years, makes his first appearance on European soil since last November. However the World Number 19 has shown outstanding form in America this year and will be keen to add the BMW PGA title to his list of achievements. Ross Fisher, who played at Surrey’s Wentworth Club as a junior, is also in the field and hoping to improve on the second place he achieved in 2009 following a compelling final-round duel with Casey. Their compatriot Oliver Wilson, another who grew up in Surrey, will also play, and the 29 year old will hope to build on a promising start to the 2010 season which has yielded fifth place finishes at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters and the WGC – Accenture Match Play. Fisher said: “There is a sentimental element for me as well because I grew up there and it was a classic Harry Colt course so it will be quite strange for me. “Behind the Majors and WGCs the BMW PGA is the one that I would most like to win. You just have to look at the history of the course, the past champions and then, of course, my own history of growing up there. It would be a very nice title to win.”

Els gets March Momento

2010-04-14T13:40:00.000Z

Ernie Els has been named The Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month for March following his back-to-back victories in the WGC – CA Championship on The European Tour and the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard on the US PGA Tour. The South African, who wins a jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne and an engraved alms dish in recognition of his achievement, ended two years without a win in superb style at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, and became The European Tour's all-time leading money winner in the process. Els’s four shot win over his fellow South African Charl Schwartzel was the 63rd of his professional career and moved him back into the top ten in the Official World Golf Ranking. It did not take long for him to add title number 64 to his CV, just 14 days in fact, as he strode to a two shot win over Edoardo Molinari and Kevin Na at Bay Hill to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Those two victories made Els the unanimous choice of the judging the panel which comprised members of the Association of Golf Writers, plus commentators from radio and television. It was also Els’s first Golfer of the Month Award since February 2004. “I’m delighted and honoured to have won The Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month,” said Els. “It has been too long since I last won this award and it is a great indication of how well I played to win the events at Doral and Bay Hill. Those two wins were definitely special and it was an amazing feeling.” Els won the March award ahead of Maybank Malaysian Open champion Noh Seung-yul of Korea; Rhys Davies of Wales, who finished second in Malaysia before winning the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco; Louis Oosthuizen, who finished second to Davies in Morocco before winning the Open de Andalucia de Golf, and Honda Classic champion Camilo Villegas.Els will now join Schwartzel (The Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month for January) and Ian Poulter (February) as a candidate for The 2010 European Tour Golfer of the Year Award at the end of the season.

Harrison's One Handed Assault

2010-04-12T13:03:00.002Z

HEROIC Audley Harrison has saved his boxing career with a sensational last-round knockout to win the vacant European heavyweight title. Harrison, who suffered a ripped tendon in his right shoulder in the second round, fought most of his fight against Michael Sprott using only one hand.Despite trailing and being two minutes away from a career-ending defeat, Harrison knocked out Sprott with a sensational left hook. “I had an operation in 2002 when I ripped a tendon and I think I did the same thing again,” said 38-year-old Harrison. “The pain was excruciating but there was absolutely no way I was going to quit. Not once did I think about quitting. “You open people up with the jab but because of my injury I didn’t have a jab but luckily I’m a quick learner. “It was hard for me to pick up any rounds and I’ve never boxed on the orthodox side before. “I felt so hampered but I never lost hope. In the sixth I hurt him with an uppercut and a hook but it was hard to get going. “My career was on the line so losing wasn’t an option. I had to find a way to win and I knew the left would be the one that gets him. “When it landed I just walked away because I knew it was over. “It’s definitely the best punch I’ve ever thrown, especially in those circumstances, but it would’ve knocked out anyone – including the Klitschkos. It was championship-winning material. “It was a hell-mary of a punch that would’ve taken out any heavyweight in the world.” After winning Olympic gold in 2000, Harrison’s professional career had, before this win, failed to live up to its early promise. He admitted he was in ‘the last-chance saloon’ ahead of this Matchroom Sport-promoted contest at Alexandra Palace in north London. In the build-up, Sprott, 35, claimed Harrison did not have the heart to beat him but Harrison believed the manner of this victory would silence his critics. “I would like someone to ask Michael if he still thinks I have no heart,” added an emotional Harrison, who is expected to be out of action for at least six weeks. “I showed a lot of courage to fight with one hand and I showed the heart and desire that I wanted to become the European champion. “Winning the gold medal is something no one can take away but this is sweet and has brought tears to my eyes. “People have said a lot of bad things about me and I’m crying because I’m proud of what I’ve done in these circumstances. “When you work hard you get your rewards and I work hard every day in the gym. Some people do not understand but I’m real and I don’t make any apologies for who I am. “For me to find that shot when I needed it most says something about me. I said it would be something special and no one can say that wasn’t special. “I have a tick next to determination, a tick next to pride, a tick next to heart and a tick next to punching power. I did 12 gruelling rounds, most of them with one hand. “I showed plenty of bottle, plenty of desire, plenty of spirit and plenty of heart – any boxer could see that. “The battle was hard and I wanted it to be hard. Now people can see how much I want to be a world champion and there is no doubt in my mind that I will be one before I retire, no matter what people say about me.” Darren Barker claimed the vacant European Middleweight Championship with a hard-fought unanimous points win over Frenchman Affif Belghecham.

Poulter's Perfect Pitch

2010-04-06T13:50:00.000Z

Ian Poulter has been awarded The European Tour Shot of the Month for February to complete a memorable month for the Englishman. The World Number Eight can now place his Shot of the Month trophy alongside the one he received for being named The European Tour Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month for February, awarded after his superb display at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. The shot which virtually assured Poulter of victory over his compatriot Paul Casey and with it his first WGC title came at the 15th hole at Ritz-Carlton GC in Arizona, America. Poulter was two holes up with four left to play of the 36-hole final, but missed the green with his approach shot to the 15th to leave himself with a testing chip. Casey must have sensed an opportunity to half the deficit, but instead found himself three down with three left to play after Poulter produced a masterful recovery to win the hole, before wrapping up his 4&2 victory at the next hole. The win saw Poulter rise to a career-high of fifth on the Official World Golf Ranking, and also saw him climb temporarily to the top of The Race to Dubai. Runner-up was Colombian Camilo Villegas’ second shot to the ninth hole on the fifth day of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, with third place going to England’s Luke Donald for his huge putt on the 18th green on day three of the same event. Poulter follows Germany’s Martin Kaymer (January) in winning the Shot of the Month, which is awarded to the Tour Member for the shot judged to be the best played each month on The European Tour International Schedule. At the end of the season, the winning shot from each month will be nominated for The European Tour Shot of the Year Award.