A round-up of today's sports news in brief
Klitschko promises memorable display
BOXING:The World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko has promised to give fight fans a memorable display when he takes on Polish challenger Albert Sosnowski on May 29th.
“Muhammad Ali had this belt,” said the 38-year-old Ukrainian as he held it aloft at a news conference in Gelsenkirchen. “Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis had it and now I am the rightful owner.
“I am the strongest in the world and for whoever comes to watch the fight I promise an unforgettable performance. I will only part with this belt when I want to.”
Klitschko, whose brother Vladimir holds the WBO, IBO and IBF heavyweight belts, will fight the British-based Sosnowski in front of an expected 60,000 crowd in Schalke 04’s soccer stadium in Gelsenkirchen.
“He (Sosnowski) has more fights than me, more experience in the heavyweight division . . . but I am happy with whoever comes to challenge me and I am delighted with the fight,” said the champion.
Pearson to referee Leinster game
RUGBY:English referee Dave Pearson will take charge of Leinster's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Clermont Auvergne at the RDS on Friday week. ERC has confirmed the referees for both the premier European club tournament and the Amlin Challenge Cup, writes John OSullivan
Welshman Nigel Owens will officiate when Munster and Northampton Saints met for a third time in this season’s competition at Thomond Park on Saturday week.
Limerick’s George Clancy has been handed the quarter-final between Biarritz Olympique and Ospreys while Alan Lewis will preside over the all-French clash between Toulouse and Stade Francais. Alain Rolland is a touch judge for the latter match.
In the Challenge Cup, England’s Andrew Small will be in charge when Connacht take on Bourgoin at the Sportsground – it is live on Sky Sports.
Irishman Peter Fitzgibbon has been handed the quarter-final between Toulon and the Scarlets.
Ireland to face Lithuania indoors
TENNIS:Following their first-round success, Ireland will play Lithuania in the second round of the Davis Cup BNP Paribas Euro/Africa Zone Group II on the July 9th-11th, writes Johnny Watterson.
Tennis Ireland has arranged for the tie to be played indoors at Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club in Dublin, the same venue that was sold out for the first round.
Ireland advanced after a decisive 4-1 victory over Turkey in March. Lithuania travel to Ireland for the meeting following a shock 3-2 win over a Britain side that did not have Andy Murray playing.
The only other time the two nations met resulted in an Irish victory in 2007. Tickets for the event go on sale by Tennis Ireland on April 26th.
Bowe player of championship
RUGBY:Tommy Bowe is the 2010 RBS Player of the Six Nations Championship emerging victorious from a shortlist of six players, writes John O'Sullivan.
The Ireland wing scored three tries during the tournament, a feat matched by Keith Earls and Welsh duo James Hook and Shane Williams, but eclipsed by none.
He succeeds Brian O’Driscoll – the Ireland captain has won that particular award three of the last four years including 2009 – in having the honour bestowed on him. Bowe admitted: “It has been a Championship of mixed emotions for the Irish team but to be named the RBS Player of the Championship is a fantastic way to end what has been an exciting year.
“The tournament is always enjoyable and fantastic for rugby fans across Europe with some sensational, competitive rugby produced year after year. To be voted in by the fans is a huge compliment and I thank them for taking the time to vote.”
The 2010 RBS Player of the Championship was decided as a result of a public vote, hosted on www.rbs6nations.com.
A panel of former internationals from all six nations submitted their top three nominations, from which the shortlist of six nominees was compiled.
Panellists included former internationals Keith Wood, Raphaël Ibañez and Jonathan Davies, Andy Nicol, Ieuan Evans, Jason Leonard and Alessandro Moscardi.
Bowe polled over 50 per cent of the votes while O’Driscoll (30 per cent), with French duo Imanol Harinordoquy receiving 20.9 per cent and Morgan Parra 11.5 per cent.
