SPORTS/Digest

• BOXING: Mike Tyson's bout against Clifford Etienne in Memphis on Saturday has been put in doubt by reports that the former world heavyweight champion has suffered a setback in his preparation.Tyson is reputed to have been suffering from diarrhoea in the build-up to his first fight since being beaten by Lennox Lewis in the same city last June. The 36-year-old missed a scheduled flight to Memphis and promoter Gary Shaw said: "With every day that goes by, I'm less optimistic the fight will happen." Tyson's preparation has also been hit by the departure of close friend and fitness trainer Jeff Fenech, who was unhappy at the fighter's lack of activity in the final weeks leading up to his comeback bout. A postponement of Tyson's fight with Etienne would surely curtail any hopes he has of taking part in a planned rematch with Lewis this summer.
• EQUESTRIAN SPORT: Trevor Coyle, who had such a huge fan base during his partnership with the great stallion Cruising, has almost certainly clinched himself a place in next month's World Cup show jumping final in Las Vegas, following a fifth place finish in the Spanish round at Vigo at the weekend, reports Grania Willis. Coyle has now moved up to joint-13th in the western European league, with 18 riders going forward to the Las Vegas finals next month. But with just three qualifiers left to go it seems unlikely that any other Irish riders will be making the cut. Jessica Kurten is next best of the Irish on 14 points for joint 36th, with World Champion Dermott Lennon on 13 points in joint 38th.
• AMERICA'S CUP: Team New Zealand spent yesterday's rest day hard at work after a calamitous start to their America's Cup defence handed Swiss challengers Alinghi a 2-0 lead in the best-of-nine series. The third race is scheduled for today, with Team New Zealand anxious to get back on course after they pulled out of Saturday's first race with a series of gear breakages and then surrendered a clear lead a day later.
• SWIMMING: Cork girl Lee Kelleher, currently a student at Loughborough College, made a worthwhile return home at the weekend for the Leisureland international event in Salthill. Kelleher became the first of the national squad to make a qualifying time 2:12 for the European Short Course Championships at Abbotstown, writes Pat Roche. Kelleher made use of the opportunity to get an early qualifying mark by competing at one of the three short course events at home which Swim Ireland have set as the only route for Irish swimmers trying for qualifying standards. The two remaining qualifying events for home swimmers are the Abbotstown New Meet in May and the National Open tests in Lisburn in July. Notable performances by Irish contestants at Leisureland were by Donal O'Neill in the 200 metres butterfly; Lyn Donnelly of Phoenix in freestyle and Clare Hogan of St Paul's.