BOXING: The proposed staging of the heavyweight showdown between Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis in Georgia was under threat yesterday after the state's governor called for Tyson's licence to be withdrawn.
The original plans to stage the fight in Las Vegas had to be abandoned after the Nevada State Athletic Commission refused to let Tyson fight there in the wake of the brawl at a New York press conference to promote the bout.
But the fight seemed back on when Georgia decided to grant a licence to the former champion this week. Now state governor Roy Barnes has asked that Tyson's licence be withdrawn.
Lewis' proposed showdown with Tyson may still be in the balance, but the champion has at least claimed one victory out of the ring. He has been awarded $8 million after a New York court found in his favour against former promoter Panos Eliades. Eliades had been suing Lewis for breach of contract. After two days of deliberations the jury found in favour of Lewis, who was counter-suing the promoter.
CRICKET: England chairman of selectors David Graveney has insisted Darren Gough will not be selected for the forthcoming Test series in New Zealand barring major injury. The paceman was omitted from the squad for the three-match series after deciding to sit out the first part of the winter programme in India.
But Gough's form in the recent one-day series in India and Wednesday's limited overs international in Christchurch led to speculation that England could ask him to stay on. Yesterday, however, Graveney told BBC Radio 5 Live that England will not be going back on their decision.
RUGBY: South Africa's former World Cup-winning captain Francois Pienaar said yesterday he will stand down as coach of English Premiership club Saracens at the end of the season.
Club owner Nigel Wray said: "Francois has demonstrated huge commitment and passion for Saracens through the past five-and-a-half years and has been instrumental in the transformation from what was essentially an amateur park team into a model, innovative and professional rugby club. It has been immensely frustrating for Francois and for the club that his great efforts have not been rewarded by more success on the field.
• ATHLETICS: Competitors at the weekend's National Indoor Championships in Nenagh get their last chance to impress the AAI selectors ahead of next month's European Championships in Vienna (March 1st-3rd). The team for Vienna will be finalised tomorrow evening.
The strongest entries are expected in the sprint events, including new junior 400-metre record-holder David McCarthy and women's senior 200-metre record-holder Ciara Sheehy. Derval O'Rourke is also eyeing the national record in the 60 metre hurdles (8.30 seconds).
Already assured of their places for Vienna are Karen Shinkins (400 metres), Peter Coghlan (60 metre hurdles) and Ciarán McDonagh (long jump) and those three compete at the Colorado Invitational in the US. James Nolan, who is targeting the 1,500 metres in Vienna, may make an 800-metre appearance in Nenagh if he fails to secure entry to a race in Athens.
