David Hayes pampers wife by gifting a new £106K Mercedes

Boxing world champion David Hayes has gifted his wife Natasha a sporty new 106,000 pounds Mercedes.

The 30-year-old heavyweight king, who had cheated on his wife with former lapdancer Amie Buck was keen on doing away with any remaining rift between them.

The Mercedes even has a personalised registration, N IIAYE.

Natasha appeared to be pleased as she gave him a big kiss outside their mansion in Beckenham, South East London after getting the car.

Five Indian boxers sign exclusive marketing deals

Indian boxing talents have been making the country proud by winning accolades consistently at all major international championships and have stormed the just concluded 5th Commonwealth Boxing Championship 2010 by winning 6 Gold medals.

Five young promising Indian boxers, Vijender Singh, Dinesh Kumar, Suranjoy Singh, Jai Bhagwan and Balwinder Beniwal have signed an exclusive marketing deal with Percept Ltd for a period of 3 years.

Though Percept has had various sports talents from the world of cricket and tennis, this is the first time they uave entered into a talent deal with boxers. Under this agreement, Percept will completely manage them as a talent and brand.

Asian champion Suranjoy Singh who stormed the finals in the commonwealth championship added “It’s a double whammy for me, the high of reaching the finals of this boxing championship only got better by shaking hands with Percept. I am confident that as my partner they will position me in an apt manner and forebring my talent to the right platform.

Muhammad Ali beats Bradman to title of greatest sportsman

ormer World Heavyweight Boxing champion Muhammad Ali, 67, has been named the greatest sports star by Australia's No 1 sporting magazine Alpha.

Ali's record in professional boxing's most competitive era has seen him get the nod ahead of cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman. Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Diego Maradona rounded out the top five, reports The Herald Sun.

"Ali was an unbelievably skilful, clever boxer who was involved in some of the biggest fights of the 20th century," Alpha editor Heath Kelly said.

"Away from the ring, Ali's impact was just as great - from his rapid-fire tongue, to his stance against the Vietnam war, to lighting the Atlanta Olympic torch when visibly affected by Parkinsons, he captured the public imagination like no athlete in history," Kelly added.

Alpha's top 10
1. Muhammad Ali
2. Sir Donald Bradman
3. Michael Jordan
4. Tiger Woods
5. Diego Maradona
6. Rod Laver
7. Pele
8. Roger Federer
9. Carl Lewis
10. Lance Armstrong

'I really think Ali feared me', says 'Smoking' Joe Frazier

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier, who is famous for his trilogy of Heavyweight Championship fights with Muhammad Ali, has said that he still retains a disdain for the treatment he received from Ali.

Frazier, who for a decade had impaired vision in his left eye, could not see after Ali punched his right eye closed.

The history between the pair, which is featured in a DVD released this week, demonstrates the depth of the feud, highlighted by Ali's verbal assaults on race and religious grounds.

"Ali was nervous and he taunted me, saying I was ugly and all sorts of things. But, I think that was his way of building himself up, by running off at the mouth," The Herald Sun quotes Frazier, as saying.

"He had a lot of respect for me. And, I think he feared I could beat him. So, he used his tongue before the fights to try to upset me and to get his own adrenaline going. I really think he feared me," he added.

Despite protests, Frazier's corner threw in the towel before the 15th round, which meant that Frazier had lost the rematch. Frazier was never again the force he used to be and accepts his place in history, aware that a few seconds between rounds 14 and 15 in Manila could have changed the world's perception of his talents.

"You have corners and trainers and managers who care. I had impaired vision in my left eye and I was struggling to see out of the other. I didn't hold anything against anybody for the fight being stopped," Frazier said.

"I would have been in real trouble if both my eyes closed. But, to learn Ali was ready to quit at the same time my corner called an end to the fight was a bit disappointing. He ended up in more physical strife than me, but he got the verdict and all the accolades that go with winners," he added.

The 65-year-old further said that all that happened in "The Thrilla in Manilla" fight is history now and everyone must move on.

"I am at peace with the world. I could never understand why he went on at the mouth about so many things. I've always believed it doesn't matter what colour your skin is. I couldn't figure out what he was on about. I can only hope he asks the Lord for forgiveness for the wrongs he did me," Frazier said.

Victorious Froch wants Calzaghe

Carl Froch and his promoter Mick Hennessy will try to tempt Joe Calzaghe into one last fight by offering the Welshman a deal he cannot refuse.

Nottingham man Froch beat Canada's Jean Pascal in his home town on Saturday to claim the WBC super-middleweight title.

Froch is due to fight Jermain Taylor in a mandatory defence next but, if the American turns the offer down, Froch and Hennessy will pursue the Welshman.

"We'd love Calzaghe next more than anything," Hennessy told BBC Sport.

Hennessy offered Calzaghe £5m to fight Froch earlier in the year. Calzaghe instead took a fight with Roy Jones Jr, but Froch's promoter said he would return with an increased offer in an attempt to secure the fight.

"Taylor is the next mandatory opponent for Carl, but he has to be a man and take the fight, if he doesn't then will we go after Calzaghe and improve the offer."
If 31-year-old Froch were to meet Taylor, it would probably take place at New York's Madison Square Garden in April, Hennessy confirmed.

Froch has chased Calzaghe since 2004, but has always done so as a challenger.

Now the tables are turned and with Froch's stock having risen dramatically after his sensational unanimous points victory over Pascal, 36-year-old Calzaghe may well be tempted by one last fight, which would be likely to happen at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

"If Calzaghe doesn't retire then I'd love to fight him, but he knows that already," said Froch.

"I've got the title he vacated and if he wants it back he can come and get it.

"But realistically I know he wouldn't drop down to super-middleweight and I don't really want to go up to light-heavyweight so I'd compromise and meet him at a catch weight of around 172lb.

"It's the fight all of Britain wants, they've seen what I can do and they've seen what an exciting boxer I am."

If Taylor and Calzaghe fall through then Hennessy is sure there are other big fights out there for his man.

He said: "For once the ball is in our court, we have the best belt in world boxing."

IBF champion Lucian Bute and WBA holder Mikkel Kessler are two such names, and both are fighters Froch would love to meet.

Bute, who is unbeaten in 23 fights, lives in Canada and Hennessy said Froch would travel to Montreal to meet the Romanian-born southpaw, if the deal was right.

Dane Kessler has only been beaten once in 41 fights, by Calzaghe last year. That is a fight that would most likely take place in Nottingham again.

"What he has done here has made him a marquee fighter," said Hennessy.

"Carl is the most exciting boxer in the world and is a true champion.

Froch added: "I'd fancy IBF champion Bute, it would be a good fight and even though Kessler has been beaten by Calzaghe, he can come again.

"I know he was injured going into that fight and probably should have pulled out, so he's still a dangerous fighter."

Froch also revealed that he came close to pulling out of Saturday's fight as late as the week before, having suffered ear, eye and rib injuries during intensive sparring sessions at his six-week training camp in Ireland.

But he ignored the advice of promoter Hennessy, who wanted to withdraw his man, and boxed on. He met Pascal to claim the WBC title in what will go down as one of the best world title fights Britain has seen.

For Froch, victory ends years of frustration and announces his arrival onto the world scene.

"Pascal can come again, but I am 31 and needed to win this fight. This was my chance and I had to take it and I think that showed," said Froch.

"It was the hardest fight of my career and he caught me with some good shots but I showed I am a true fighter and that's why everyone loves coming to see me fight.

"I thought I had him a few times, but every time he looked in trouble he came back at me like a wounded animal. He was a dangerous opponent."

Manny Pacquiao stops 'empty' De la Hoya

Manny Pacquiao dominated Oscar de la Hoya from the start to win Saturday's welterweight super-fight in Las Vegas.

The Filipino gave his bigger, more famous opponent such a beating that De la Hoya declined to come out of his corner after the eighth round.

The technical knockout marked only the second time De la Hoya had been stopped in a fight in his 16-year pro career.

"He's just a great fighter," said De La Hoya. "I have nothing bad to say about him. He prepared like a true champion."

Defeat for the 35-year-old came at the hands of a fighter who fought at just 129lb months earlier.

"Speed was going to be the key to this fight," said the victorious Pacquiao, 29, who picked up an $11m (£7.5m) purse.

"I'm not surprised by the result, because I prepared well to control the fight from the beginning. I'm happy that I could give this victory to my country."

De la Hoya seemed well beyond his prime, unable to offer any answer to the punches Pacquiao landed almost at will.

His left eye was closed shut as he sat on his stool after the eighth round and the ring doctor, referee and his cornermen discussed his condition.

He offered no complaints when his corner decided he had had enough, getting up from his stool and walking to the centre of the ring to congratulate Pacquiao.

"I felt empty, without power," said De la Hoya. "I tried to go forward but Pacquiao's leg speed and movement didn't allow me to connect with anything."

Two of the three ringside judges scored all eight rounds for Pacquiao, while a third gave De La Hoya - who was taken to a hospital for precautionary reasons after the fight - only the first round.

Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 knockouts) came up two weight classes to fight for his biggest purse ever, while De La Hoya dropped down to meet him at 147lb.

Though De la Hoya (39-6) towered over Pacquiao and had a big reach advantage over him, Pacquiao had no trouble getting inside what few jabs De La Hoya threw to land his shots.

"We knew we had him after the first round," said Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach.

"He had no legs, he was hesitant and he was shot."

Roach trained De la Hoya in his last big fight a year ago and said De La Hoya could no longer throw punches when he needed them.

"Freddie, you're right," De la Hoya told his former trainer after the fight.

"I just don't have it any more. My heart still wants to fight, that's for sure.

"But when your physical doesn't respond, what can you do? I have to be smart and make sure I think about my future plans."

Pacquiao, meanwhile, who may find British light-welterweight Ricky Hatton lined up as his next opponent, said he would fight whoever promoter Bob Arum put in front of him.

"My job is to train hard and to fight in the ring," he said. "It's my promoter's job to decide who I fight - and I will fight."

Milkha didn’t know Mary Kom was a champion boxer

World champion says the athletic legend struck off her name from the list of Khel Ratna nominees as he hadn’t heard about her

MC Mary Kom may have been a three-time champion going into the World Championships at Ningbo City in China, but no one would have wagered on her taking gold once again. After all, she had been busy giving birth to and rearing her twin sons, a two-year hiatus not one that prepares a boxer for such a top-class competition.

But the diminutive 25-year-old from Manipur proved a widely believed theory — will power often makes up for any deficiencies in preparation. Mary’s actual dream run comprised avenging her loss in the final of the Asian Championships in September, putting it 8-3 across against Korean Ok Jong in the semifinals in China, and then powering her way to a 7-1 verdict against Romanian Steluta Duta in the final.

The fatigue of returning in the early hours of the morning may have subdued her voice a little, but the words were as precise as her punches.

“It was not as easy as it might seem. It is definitely the best of my four medals because I managed to win despite coming back after such a long lay-off. I had put in a lot of hard work during the last four months and it proved worth the effort,” said Mary, quick to thank her near and dear ones.

“But for their support, I could not have done it. I was a little disappointed after losing to Ok Jong in the final of the Asian Championships and I was also not taking well to the thought of leaving my children to go and compete,” said the champion 46 kg pugilist, who is fast becoming a household name.

Coach Anup Kumar was all praise for Mary, saying her cool mind and superior basics saw her cruise through.

“I was expecting her to finish in the medals bracket, though gold had seemed improbable. But she gave little chance to her opponents with her superb reach, speed and counter-attacks,” said Kumar.

“I think this is the best example that one can have of a comeback. Just imagine, returning to top-class boxing after two years, practicing for just four months and then producing such high class stuff! This is what dreams are made of,” he added.

Mary Kom though revealed that she was hurt about being ignored for the Khel Ratna award.

“I have won the World Championship four times on the trot. Mahendra Singh Dhoni gets a Khel Ratna for winning just one World Cup, I fail to understand why am I being ignored then. How can anybody expect an athlete to stay motivated if he or she is ignored like that?” Mary Kom said.

Mary Kom said that what hurt her the most was the fact that it was sheer ignorance about which sport she competes in that could have cost her the award. “Last year, when my name was recommended by the federation, I had been short-listed along with Dhoni but Arjuna awards selection committee chairman Milkha Singh struck off my name saying that he did not know which sport I competed in. That hurt me terribly,” she revealed.

“I want to ask him today, how many more titles do I have to win for him and for the country to believe that I deserve the honour?” she asked. “Don’t give me the award if you think I am not worthy but please don’t insult me with statements like that.”

MC Mary Kom claims fourth World title

Just four months of training after a two-year sabbatical may not be the ideal build-up for a World Championship but that is all MC Mary Kom needed as she clinched a historic fourth gold medal to become the most successful woman boxer in the world here on Saturday.

“I thank God and my husband for supporting me so much. I wasn’t confident going into the tournament. I was away from the ring for two years after my twins were born and trained for just four months before coming here,” Mary Kom, who competes in the 46kg category, said after her unprecedented feat at the fifth edition of the event.

“I lost in the finals of Asian Championship in September. I wasn’t upset but yes the confidence was slightly affected by that loss. I think my will power saw me through here. Besides things haven’t changed much in my weight category,” she added.

In a repeat of the previous World Championship in New Delhi, the Indian beat Romanian Steluta Duta 7-1 in the finals. The 25-year-old Manipuri dedicated the triumph to her little boys. “It’s difficult leaving them behind. They don’t talk at the moment but when they looked at me while leaving I knew they were wondering where mama is going,” she laughed.

Bolt and Isinbayeva scoop awards

Usain Bolt and Yelena Isinbayeva have been named as male and female athletes of the year by the International Association of Athletics Federations.

The Jamaican sprinter and Russian pole vaulter took the awards as well as £67,000 each at a ceremony in Monaco for their superb Olympic displays.

Bolt, 22, became the first man in history to break world records in all three sprint events at a single Games.

Isinbayeva, 26, raised the world record to 5.05m to retain her Olympic title.

Bolt broke the 100m world record of 9.74 seconds held by compatriot Asafa Powell earlier in the season but he again eclipsed the new mark by clocking 9.69 in Beijing.

He then broke Michael Johnson's world record of 19.32 in the final of the 200m by lowering it to 19.30 before leading Jamaica's 4x100m sprint relay to Olympic victory in a record time of 37.10.

"I have a motto that anything is possible, but this really is such an honour," said Bolt, who became Jamaica's first Olympic 100m champion.

"Just to be included with every great name in the sport is wonderful. I'll try to do it year after year."

Isinbayeva, who took athlete of the year honours in 2004 and 2005, added: "I'm very proud. It feels like the first time."

During the season the Russia raised her own world record in the pole vault three times, first to 5.03 metres in Rome and 5.04 in Monaco in June and then at Beijing - her 24th world best mark.

Isinbayeva just edged out Ethiopian distance runner Tirunesh Dibaba, who produced an unprecedented Olympic double victory in the 5000 and 10,000 metres in Beijing.

Cuban 110m hurdler Dayron Robles won the male performance of the year award after setting a new world record of 12.87sec as well as claiming the Olympic title.

Dibaba and Barbora Spotakova, of the Czech Republic, who set a new world record after claiming the Olympic javelin title, took the women's equivalent.

Pamela Jelimo, who won the 800m Olympic title at the age of 18, was given the revelation of the year award.


IAAF Award winners

Male world athlete: Usain Bolt (Jam)

Female world athlete: Yelena Isinbayeva (Rus)

Male performance: Dayron Robles (Cub)

Female performance: Tirunesh Dibaba (Eth)/ Barbora Spotakova (Cze)

Revelation of the year: Pamela Jelimo (Ken)

Distinguished Career award: Kajsa Bergqvist (Swe)/Stefan Holm (Swe)/Jefferson Perez (Ecu)

Inspirational award: Henry Rono (Ken)

80 Years of Women Athletes at the Olympic Games: Jackie Joyner-Kersee (USA)

Special Olympic award: Usain Bolt (Jam)/Tirunesh Dibaba (Eth)/Yelena Isinbayeva (Rus)/Francoise Mbango (Cmr)/Angelo Taylor (USA)/Andreas Thorkildsen (Nor)

Floyd Mayweather Sr eyes Pacquiao test

Floyd Mayweather Sr said he would prefer Ricky Hatton to fight Manny Pacquiao rather than Oscar de la Hoya after the defeat of Paulie Malignaggi.

"It's Ricky's call, but do I want to see him fight Oscar? Not really," said Mayweather Sr, who only started training Hatton seven weeks ago.

"I would rather see him fight Pacquiao, that's the perfect match for Ricky. But I don't see Pacquiao beating Oscar."

Hatton, meanwhile, said he would fight either man, preferably at Wembley.

"Let's hope my next opponent is the winner of Pacquiao-De La Hoya," he said. "Who am I to say who will win that? In fact, the winner or the loser will be a good fight to be honest.

"I'll be in Vegas for that and watching it with interest and maybe we can get it at Wembley, a 100,000 crowd, and with that performance I'm right there now in the reckoning.

"It has been mentioned a few times so maybe I will get my wish and become the best pound-for-pound fighter."

Six-weight world champion De la Hoya is a heavy favourite to beat Filipino superstar Pacquiao, who started his career at flyweight, when they meet on 6 December.


America's De la Hoya, a former middleweight world champion, would want any fight against Hatton to take place at welterweight, and Hatton has struggled in his two fights in that division.

In 2006 he scraped past Luiz Collazo to claim the WBA welterweight crown, before losing handily to Floyd Mayweather Jr, Floyd Sr's son, last December.

However, having previously said he would never fight at 147lb again, Hatton now says he would be prepared to move back up, if need be.

"There are a lot of good fighters in the light-welterweight division now," said Hatton.

"But as good as (WBO title-holder) Kendall Holt and (WBC title-holder) Timothy Bradley are, they're not the household names that Manny Pacquiao and Oscar de la Hoya are.

"If I'm going to have a couple of years left, what sort of a champion would I be if I turned my back on fighting Oscar or Manny?

"And I'd like to think that with that performance (against Malignaggi) I've put myself firmly in the frame."

Manchester's Hatton added that he thought his 11th-round stoppage of Malignaggi was a "defining fight", in that it proved he was not, as some people thought might be the case, past it.

"I lost against Mayweather and the fight against Juan Lazcano (in May) wasn't great," said Hatton, who now has 45 wins from 46 fights.

"Doubts had been creeping in - have I had too many fights, has going up and down in weight had an effect? But I showed a technical side to my game I've been missing for two or three fights.

"Sometimes the red mist came down and I turned into the old Ricky Hatton, but I quickly settled back down and there was a little more composure there than normal.

"I was moving my head a bit more, jabbing and was aware of punches coming back at me.

"When you're working on new things and trying to put them into practice probably the hardest person to do that against is someone like Paulie Malignaggi. He's fast and slippery, like a bar of soap.

"But I still managed to put into practice some of the things me and Floyd had worked on, in just seven weeks don't forget. It makes me feel very proud."

Mayweather Sr, a former trainer of De la Hoya, said he was pleased with Hatton's performance, but added he still has much to learn.

Mayweather Sr said: "He catches on very fast. I saw a whole lot different. He was pot-shotting and doing what he wanted to do with Malignaggi.

"He has a lot to learn, but he's willing to learn. There were a lot of things I was trying to tell him to do that he didn't do, but I'm not disappointed.

"Seven weeks is not a long time, Rome wasn't built in a day. It takes time, especially in boxing. Ricky did very good with some of the stuff I taught him.

"But I would rather see him fight Pacquiao, that's a more logical fight to me, what with the size and weight and height, it makes more sense."

Former champion Lewis would return for big payday

Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis would be tempted out of retirement by the lure of a $100 million payday as well as his desire to "save the sport," he told a British newspaper on Sunday.

Lewis who retired from the ring in 2003 after beating Vitali Klitschko but the 43-year-old said he could be ready for a title fight after six months of training.

"If someone wants to pay me serious money, $100m or so, then I will fight again," he told the Mail on Sunday.

"I don't have to do this, I don't need the money and my legacy speaks for itself. But boxing needs me. The heavyweight game is so boring now. All the characters are gone. I would like to save my sport."

Lewis said the poor quality of the current crop of heavyweights was one of the main reasons he was tempted to return to the ring.

"Boxers usually come back or continue fighting for two reasons," he said. "Either the atmosphere of the crowd or the money. Me? I don't need either, I'm happy as I am.

"But I think the sport needs me and I love my sport. And I don't like seeing it the way it is."

Ricky Hatton beats Paulie Malignaggi with TKO

Ricky Hatton retained his IBO light-welterweight title on Saturday with an 11th round stoppage of American Paulie Malignaggi.

Referee Kenny Bayless halted the contest 28 seconds into the round when Malignaggi's trainer Buddy McGirt waved the towel in the corner. There were no knockdowns but Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) hurt his opponent several times.

The victory marked a successful return to the ring in which Hatton had lost his unbeaten record last December, when he was knocked out by Floyd Mayweather Jr in a challenge for the WBC welterweight title.

"I enjoyed this fight a lot more than the last time I was here," Hatton told reporters.

In the second round, a big right to the jaw buckled Malignaggi's legs and caused the American to cling on, while another hook in the fourth had the same effect.

Malignaggi (25-2, 5 KOs) did score effectively with sharp jabs in some of the early rounds, and appeared to be back in the contest after a productive fifth, but as the bout progressed, Hatton became increasingly dominant.

A series of booming left hooks chased Malignaggi across the ring in the seventh and the English fighter scored again with a left and a right in the eighth.

Evander Holyfield plans a Rocky Balboa

Evander Holyfield, 46, has no intention of quitting the ring if he wins the WBA crown against Russian champion Nikolai Valuev next month.

“My goal is to be Undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world and not just one title,” said the veteran American at a news conference staged ahead of the December 20 fight in Switzerland.

The former champion has not fought since losing to then-World Boxing Organisation title holder Sultan Ibragimov a year ago and faces the 7-foot Valuev, who has a 49-1 record and is 11 years his junior.

“I never thought I would be fighting at 46, maybe 34 at the most. I guess in 1999 I thought it was over after losing to Lennox Lewis,” said Holyfield. “I truly believe this is my year and I am honoured to have the opportunity to fight Valuev and I will be the world champion.”

Valuev, who beat John Ruiz in August to regain the WBA title he lost to Ruslan Chagaev in April 2007, is wary of his opponent. “Holyfield is a legend, a fantastic boxer and I want to thank him for agreeing to this fight,” said the Russian.

“He is a very dangerous opponent because he is experienced so we have to adjust our training to take that into account. But it does not detract from my confidence to beat him, we will see in the ring.”

‘Not fighting for money’
There are at least 125 million reasons why the former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield should not be preparing to lace on the gloves again at the age of 46. “People are always asking me why I’m keeping this going, and if I’m doing it for the money,” said Holyfield. “But I had this goal even before I had any money problems. You get tired of telling people you’re not doing it for the money.”

Mayweather Sr trashes Malignaggi

Ricky Hatton's trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr has poured scorn on American Paulie Malignaggi ahead of Saturday's fight, saying he poses "no threat whatsoever".

Mayweather Sr added that the British public should expect to see a "new and improved" Hatton in Las Vegas.

"Malginaggi's in hot water," Mayweather told BBC Sport. "I can't say anything good about him.

"He can run, but even that I would call a weakness. It's not just a lack of power, it's a lack of everything."

Mayweather Sr, who replaced Billy Graham as Hatton's long-term trainer following the Manchester fighter's unimpressive victory over Juan Lazcano in May, added: "Malignaggi's punches are like wind flying across your face.

"You can walk through his jab and he's got nothing in his right hand. What's gonna happen if he hits Ricky? It's not like he's going to swell up.

"And quick is timing, that's all it is. Ricky can be slower than him, but he can time him every time he punches, and that's what will make him as quick as Malignaggi, in fact even quicker."

Hatton and Mayweather Sr, whose son Floyd Jr inflicted Hatton's only professional defeat last December, have been in camp together for six weeks.

And Mayweather Sr said he has been "amazed" with how fast Hatton has adopted his methods.

"I can train anybody, slugger or boxer, and Ricky is willing to learn what I'm teaching him," said Mayweather Sr.

"I'm teaching him still to be aggressive, but to be smart and not come in and take three punches for one.

"I said he was nothing but a punching bag against Floyd [Jr], and I don't take that back, you saw it with your own eyes.

"But now the man's moving his head and he's making the other guy miss while he's punching.

"I've been very surprised how quick Ricky's learnt. He amazed me, especially being the type of fighter he is. He's a slugger, but he started picking up the new stuff so quick, I couldn't believe it.

"He hadn't done any of the stuff in his life - jabbing to the body and jabbing to the head, feinting to the body and jabbing to the head, hooking off the jab. He's doing it now.

"You've got to keep working at the trade and keep getting better. When you stop trying, it stops right there."

However, Mayweather Sr also had a warning for Hatton regarding his lifestyle, which sees him balloon to well above his fighting weight between contests.

"What did for [Panamanian legend] Roberto Duran was his up and down, up and down between fights. And that can kill anybody - it will cut your career short."

Meanwhile, Hatton, who will be fighting at the MGM Grand for the first time since his defeat by Mayweather Jr, claims "the twinkle in his eye is back" and that rumours that he was struggling to make the 140lb light-welterweight limit were false.

"People think that because I'm not with [former fitness trainer] Kerry Kayes any more I'm going to be Ricky Fatton again," Hatton told BBC Sport.

"But I'm doing exactly what Kerry told me from a food and drink point of view and he's still on the end of a phone for advice and I'm the same weight as I always am at this stage, about four pounds over."

Hatton also admitted that he thought he "might be past it" following his fight against Lazcano, but that he is enjoying training again and thriving as a result.

Hatton said: "I had some wonderful times with Billy [Graham], but slowly but surely all the fighters left and in the end it was just me and Matthew [Ricky's younger brother, who fights Ben Tackie on the MGM Grand undercard].

"This time I've been training with a gym full of fighters and it's been more fun, learning new things and working on new things."

Graham, who has not spoken to Hatton since their split, is in Las Vegas, although he will not be attending the fight.

However, Hatton said his presence would not be a distraction, despite admitting he could not understand why Graham had come.

"He says he wants to come for the fight, but he's not actually coming to the fight," said Hatton. "He seems to have come over to come over. It is a strange one."

Stunning David Haye demolishes Monte Barrett

David Haye announced his arrival in the heavyweight division with a stunning fifth-round knockout of Monte Barrett.

The Briton, fighting for the first time since moving up from cruiserweight, had his American rival on the canvas four times before finishing the job.

The Londoner was knocked down himself at the start of round five before a lethal combination ended the fight.

Haye now hopes to challenge either Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko for one of their world titles early next year.

Vitali was ringside to watch Haye demolish veteran Barrett, and the manner of the victory would have given the Ukrainian food for thought ahead of a possible fight next year.

Haye, who now holds a record of 22-1 (21 KO), was delighted with his win, insisting Barrett has been a dangerous opponent.

"He’s a quick heavyweight, but my speed told," said Haye. "He definitely came to win and put me down with a good shot.

"I expected to get knocked down and I did. That’s what you’re going to get with me in the heavyweight division. I might get down but I’ll get back up and I’ll do what I have to do.

"I wasn’t out of breath, my power felt great. Without having to boil down the make weight, every shot I threw felt harder than ever and I felt faster than I did at cruiserweight."

But Haye admitted Barrett had given him a few pointers about life in the heavyweight division.

"His shots felt a lot harder," said the Englishman. "Even his jab was the equivalent of a cruiserweight’s right hand, and that’s something I’ve got to get comfortable with."

Haye's trainer said there was plenty for his man to work on.

"He didn’t stick to his game-plan," said Adam Booth. "Monte managed to draw him into a slugging match. Get into slugging matches and he’ll lose his sharpness, David has to use his feet.

"All fighters have to stand and trade at times, but the fewer times you do it, the better it is for your health."

Barrett looked nervous before the fight had even begun, tripping on his way into the ring, while Haye looked composed and calm despite stepping into the relative unknown.

Haye had not fought since demolishing Welsh cruiserweight Enzo Maccarinelli inside two rounds in March, while the last time he fought at heavyweight was in 2007.

But the 28-year-old imposed himself on the fight from the first bell, catching Barrett with a fine left hook.

Two right jabs before the end of the round tested the chin of the American again.

The second round was relatively quiet, with neither boxer landing clean shots, but the fight exploded into life in the third.

Haye, whose hand speed was starting to test Barrett, floored his 37-year-old rival with a thunderous left hook.

Barrett climbed off the canvas but was again floored, this time with a right, but again he beat the count. As Haye went in to finish the job, the American was saved by the bell.

The fourth round was almost a carbon copy of the third, with Haye knocking down Barrett again with a decent left hook.

Soon after, a right uppercut looked to have finished the fight only for the bell to come to his opponent's rescue again.

There was controversy at the start of the fifth round when Haye was hit while on the floor after being knocked down himself.

An increasingly reckless and desperate Barrett was deducted a point following the incident.

But the contest was soon over as Haye put together a lethal right-left combination that floored Barrett for the fifth and final time.

Referee Richie Davies began the count but gave up at three, waving the fight off much to the delight of the crowd at the O2 Arena.

On the undercard, British light-middleweight champion Ryan Rhodes beat South African Vincent Vuma to take the WBC International title.

The 31-year-old from Sheffield won the fight convincingly with scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 116-113 in his favour as he moves closer to a WBC world title shot.

Britain's David Haye targets Klitschko brothers

Britain's David Haye has targeted a world title showdown with Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko after his five-round demolition of Monte Barrett in London.

The former cruiserweight champion, 28, knocked Barrett down five times and said "flip a coin, I don't care" when asked which Klitschko he wanted.

"I will end up victorious. I don't mind if it is Wladimir or Vitali," he added.

"They are the best in the world. It will be a huge fight so let's make it happen, I can feel it."

The Klitschko brothers hold three world heavyweight belts between them, with the 32-year-old Wladimir in possession of the IBF and WBO titles and the 37-year-old Vitali holding the WBC belt.

Vitali was ringside for Haye's bout against Barrett and was impressed with what he saw.

"It's not easy to go to from cruiserweight to heavyweight but David Haye did it brilliantly. I was surprised," he told Radio 5 Live.

"The heavyweight division needs strong and good fighters. Last night I saw a new heavyweight fighter who can fight for the world title."

The Ukrainian said a fight with Haye could happen next spring or summer, in either Great Britain or Germany, where he is based.

However, he thought the Englishman could do with a few more contests under his belt first.

"He has everything he needs. He has power, speed and good reflexes. Two more fights and he will be ready to challenge for a world title," said Klitschko.

One man who could stand in Haye's way of an immediate world title shot against the elder of the two Klitschkos is Lennox Lewis, though a return for the former undisputed heavyweight king looks very remote.

Lewis retired back in 2004 but Klitschko still hopes he can get a re-match with the Briton, who beat him in controversial circumstances in his last bout before retirement.

"I hear Lennox Lewis is back in training and starting to think about his comeback," Klitschko told Sportsweek's Garry Richardson.

"If that fight happens, then Wladimir will fight David Haye. If not, I will be ready to fight David Haye. I am very interested to prove my skills against the new generation."

Haye's trainer Adam Booth seems to be leaning towards the younger Klitschko at the news conference following his man's win over Barrett, highlighting his questionable punch resistance.

"Monte's got a better chin than Wladimir, so if David can nail him, he'll hit the floor," said Booth.

"But all of a sudden they're started putting the one with a stronger chin [Vitali] in front of us. That wasn't the plan.

"We'll see what the Klitschko plans are and try to get Wladimir. If Wladimir says 'I'll do it', we'll do it immediately. But we'll take the first one that comes along."

Vitali has only suffered two defeats in 38 fights - on cuts against Lennox Lewis in 2003 and after injuring his shoulder against Chris Byrd in 2000.

Wladimir, meanwhile, has suffered three stoppage defeats in 54 fights and has been knocked down on a number of occasions.

Haye said he would ideally like to fight either Klitschko next spring, but that he would fit one more opponent in between if the fight could not be made until next summer.

"When my title fight comes along I'll be prepared, because I've been in with strong guys who come to win," said Haye, who was floored by Barrett in round five before delivering a stunning knockout blow.


"Vitali feels he's a lot bigger and a lot stronger than me. He's a lump of a man, but I feel I've got his number.

"I've got a strategy to beat him. It's all about speed, I'm not going to have a wrestling match with him.

"I'm definitely faster than him and if I land the shots I landed on Barrett on either of those brothers they're going to know about it.

"And Corrie Sanders was 225lb when he knocked out Wladimir, but he had the speed and skills to get him out of there, so I'm not going to bulk up for the sake of it.

"They're both interested because there are no other exciting challengers for them.

"They want to secure their legacy and who better to fight than the undisputed cruiserweight champion who's stepping up and has a big knockout ratio?

"I believe I'm the best fighter in the world, so you can put me in with anyone. I'll get them out of there."

Haye, who now has 22 wins and 21 knockouts from 23 fights, will be ringside for Wladimir's clash with former world champion Hasim Rahman next month.

Joe Calzaghe's win over Roy Jones confirms status as Britain's greatest post-War fighter

It was a glorious exhibition of all that is great about Britain's greatest post-War prize fighter.

What more is there left to prove after an unblemished column of 46 wins over 15 years? The doubters need to vanish into the night. The Welsh dragon, the heart-stopper once more, down again in the first round, then turning the fight around to finish triumphant, even showboating at the last.

Such an overwhelming victory of strategy and skill against one of the great American ring generals, will place Joseph Calzaghe high in boxing's Hall of Fame as one of the great modern fighters.

Barely 60 minutes after the contest, Calzaghe and his family entourage arrived at the Hound's Tooth bar two blocks away from Garden to howls of delight to close friends and family. "Wow man, this is nice," said the triumphant British sporting hero.

Calzaghe will be forced by right to relinquish the title of BBC Sports Personality of the Year next month, but there is very little else anyone could ever take away from him.

Calzaghe, after nine testing minutes and a first-round knock-down from a left-right combination, clinically dismantled Roy Jones Jnr, who many thought would provide more obstacles than he could actually muster.

The reality is that Calzaghe never allowed Jones to settle, with the American content, in the late rounds, and long behind on the cards, to reach the end. There was the sense in the last two rounds that Calzaghe, had he gone for broke, may have ended Jones' will.

As predicted by Telegraph Sport, it was a very long night for the Pensacolan, now 39, who looked not just old, but ancient as Calzaghe blazed Jones' reputation into oblivion. After weathering the first three rounds, in which Jones posed both dangerous, and powerful threats with both hands, the fight was all about Calzaghe.

Gareth Williams, Calzaghe lawyer, a growing voice and presence in his camp, said: "Perhaps Joe actually proved himself to be No 1 pound for pound fighter in the world in there against Roy Jones."

Calzaghe said: "This was a fairytale end, a fairytale fight. Full credit to Roy, he showed a great champion's heart, and I felt he was always dangerous in there. My strategy was relentless pursuit, stamina – my work rate is second to none – I create angles which are difficult for my opponents to train for. Yes, I got caught with some good shots, but overwhelmed him in there. I'm overwhelmed myself now.

"Except for the knock-down it was a good performance. Roy stunned me. He hit me with a good punch. That is what being a champion is all about. But I didn't panic. I composed myself, got back up and started to fight again. I just boxed. My power is in my recovery. Anyone can fall on the floor. How you recover is what matters. I think it showed my heart, and I came back twice as strong. I love the way Roy fights. I knew with his style it would be a good fight. I have a lot of respect for Roy Jones. He is a great fighter.

"I think I showed what a true champion is all about. I thank God, I thank my dad and I thank my team. I worked so hard and it all paid off."

The curtain should now be allowed to fall on the fighting legend from Newbridge.

National tug of war championship from Nov 7

The 17th National Tug Of War Championship for men and women will be organised at Village Haripura of District Sirsa (Haryana) on November 7 and 8 by the Haryana State Tug of War Association under the aegis of All India Tug of War Federation.

At least 550 participants of 42 tug of war teams from 24 states are likely to take part in the event. HS Bhadu, Secretary General, All India Tug of War Federation said here on Wednesday.

Bhadu said that for the success and smooth conduct of the Championship an organising committee and various sub-committees like, reception, accommodation, food, technical, records and results, ceremonial committee have been formed.

He said that world famous scientist Dr Kuldip Singh Dhindsa, Director General, Jannayak Ch Devilal Vidyapeeth Sirsa will be chief guest at the opening ceremony of the 17th National Tug of War Championship.

Rashad Evans knocks Chuck Liddell cold at UFC 88

Light heavyweights: Rashad Evans (17-0-1) def. Chuck Liddell (21-6)
How: TKO, 1:51 Round 2
Key moment: Evans, after not having landed many strikes, suddenly connected with a punishing overhand right that knocked Liddell out.
Analysis: Liddell made the same mistake he made when he lost his light heavyweight belt last year to Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. He went to throw an uppercut and Evans caught him with a booming overhand right. The win will zoom Evans to the top of the division and places him squarely among the UFC’s elite at 205 pounds. Liddell has lost three of his last four and there at least has to be thought if he’s come to the end of the line of a spectacular career. – Kevin Iole

Light heavyweights: Rich Franklin (26-3) def. Matt Hamill (6-2)
How: Ref stoppage at 0:39 of Round 3
Key moment: Franklin’s ability to continually land kicks to the leg and body and keep Hamill from taking him down most of the way spelled the difference. The low kicks slowed Hamill’s movement and left him open for body kicks. In the third round, Hamill went down from a hard body kick and Franklin finished him with punches on the ground. Franklin has a nasty cut on the side of his right eye but Hamill wasn’t able to connect on it after early in the second round.
Analysis: Former middleweight champ Franklin, in his first light heavyweight fight in more than three years at light heavyweight, executed a good game plan on one of the stronger man in the division. But in moving up in weight, the question becomes how he can fare with the high-caliber strikers at the top of this division. What he showed is strong takedown defense and a good battle plan against someone is primarily a wrestler, something that was his strength as a middleweight. – Dave Meltzer

Bhiwani boxers itching to get into khaki: Vijender, Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar

With the euphoria around their power-packed Olympic performance finally settling, the boxing trio of Vijender Singh, Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar are bracing up to take charge as the newest DSPs in Haryana while also trying to catch some sleep.

"It feels nice but we don't know which area we would be given charge of. There is a certain aura about this post, isn't it? I hope to do justice to the responsibility," Akhil, flanked by a security personnel who will now accompany him wherever he goes, said.

Among the three, Vijender is already eyeing his preferred posting.

"Given a choice, I would take charge of Gurgaon," said India's first ever Olympic medallist, a bronze winner in the middle weight category in Beijing.

The youngest of the three, Jitender is just happy to be a DSP at 20, in his second year of graduation.

"It's a great feeling, gives me an adrenaline rush. I have a security personnel with me all the time. Let's see what the job is all about," he quipped.

Being mobbed by adoring fans and attending felicitation after felicitation are part of their new routines and though exhausted, the Bhiwani bombers, as they are fondly called now, say they are more than happy to oblige any autograph hunter or photograph seeker.

"I used to practise my signature for this very day. And now that it is happening, it is surreal. Till about a few months ago we could pass through these streets completely unnoticed but now everybody turns around and recognises," said Akhil, a bantam weight quarterfinalist in Beijing, as he scribbled in Hindi for a fan.