The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- Molina bout sees Khan at crossroads
- NYC Marathon organizers assess options
- Malaysia Got Talent too – but we must not be one-hit wonders
| Molina bout sees Khan at crossroads Posted: 30 Oct 2012 06:58 PM PDT LOS ANGELES: Britain's Amir Khan says it's his head, not his heart, that will put him back on the path to boxing's summit when he takes on unbeaten American Carlos Molina in December. "We know we have to win the fight, not only win it but win it in good style," Khan said Tuesday at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, where he and Molina will face off in a light welterweight bout on December 15. "I want to be back up there. I want a good win. I aim to win this fight to be back where I want to be." Former world champion Khan is coming off two successive defeats, including a fourth-round knockout loss to light welterweight world champion Danny Garcia in July. Khan has since sacked famed trainer Freddie Roach, mentor of Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao, and says that thanks to his preparations with Virgil Hunter, fans will see "an Amir Khan who is smarter, an Amir Khan who is thinking about everything". That's the prescription from Hunter, who scoffed at the notion that Garcia's victory indicated Khan had a suspect chin. Hunter said it wasn't Khan's inability to take a punch, but his inability to stick to his strategy after a third-round knockdown, that cost him that fight. "He has to temper his approach," Hunter said. "He's a little ahead of himself, he has to learn how to harness his speed." Khan, 26-3 with 18 knockouts, admitted that the loss to Garcia - coming after he dropped a controversial split decision to American Lamont Peterson - was especially bitter. "I think I let him and his father get to me," Khan said. "I lost my cool. I could have just boxed him and I tried to get into a fight with him and I got into his game." Hunter, who trains unbeaten super-middleweight world champion Andre Ward, has counseled Khan that boxing is about business, not revenge. But Khan clearly has Garcia in the back of his mind, saying that's a rematch he'd like to make before perhaps moving up from the 140-pound division. First, however, comes the 17-0 Molina, who says he's looking forward to fighting in front of home fans in a venue that has hosted Olympic boxing as well as three Muhammad Ali fights. Khan says his preparations are progressing quietly in the peace and quiet of Hunter's Oakland gym, which has none of the hubbub of Roach's Wild Card gym in Hollywood. "We all know he's a great trainer," Khan said of Roach. "(But) I need to be with someone who can spend 100 percent of time with me." Khan also likes training outside Britain, where his private life has become tabloid fodder. "It is a distraction when you're preparing for a fight," he said. - AFP |
| NYC Marathon organizers assess options Posted: 30 Oct 2012 06:56 PM PDT NEW YORK: New York City Marathon organizers continued to plan for Sunday's race as the metropolis coped with the chaotic aftermath of deadly superstorm Sandy. "The marathon has always been a special day for New Yorkers as a symbol of the vitality and resiliency of this city," New York Road Runners president Mary Wittenberg said in a statement. "NYRR continues to move ahead with its planning and preparation. We will keep all options open with regard to making any accommodations and adjustments necessary to race day and race weekend events." Subway trains and buses remained suspended for a third day on Tuesday and hundreds of thousands of homes in New York faced up to a week without electricity, the power company warned. Officials expected John F. Kennedy International Airport to reopen on Wednesday, but marathon organizers still faced logistical challenges, including getting international runners into New York on time and getting almost 50,000 entrants to the starting line. Many of the city services that usually support the event are also busy elsewhere. "The city is rightfully focused on assessment, restoration and recovery," Wittenberg said, adding that organizers would announce their plans as they evolve. "This is a very challenging time for the people and city of New York." - AFP |
| Malaysia Got Talent too – but we must not be one-hit wonders Posted: 30 Oct 2012 05:02 PM PDT Britain has its Britain Got Talent show. The Americans have their own America Got Talent programme. Now, Malaysia Got Talent too! Don't believe me? Then check out Monday's StarSport. Badminton and squash have always delivered the goods – the only problem was it has always been Lee Chong Wei and Nicol David who stood tall on the podium with a trophy in their arms. So, it was a delight – and sheer relief as well – when the two sports produced two different winners for a change in Liew Daren and Low Wee Wern. I am sure many Malaysians, as much as we adore and respect Chong Wei and Nicol for all their achievements and efforts in putting the country on the world map, are thrilled to know that Malaysia's got other talented players in the two sports as well. How we have been pining for new faces to take over the mantle of Chong Wei and Nicol, who have both done more than their fair share to raise the profile of badminton and squash – and sports in general. Many, including the local sportswriters, had written off Daren's chances of actually winning something worthwhile. And why not? Here's a player who joined the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) fold nine years ago. His only claim to fame during those nine years was being the sparring partner of Chong Wei. Yes, he sparred with Chong Wei before and during the London Olympics. And it looks like those sparring sessions must have paid off. He must have picked up a tip or two from the world No. 1 because how else could he pulled off a stunning win in the French Open. But is it really that surprising that he won in Paris? Actually, if you look at his record this year, he has made the last eight in four tournaments – All-England, Swiss Open, Singapore Open and Denmark Open. There has been progress in his game. It's true that the big guns were not in Paris, where he triumphed. Still, the 25-year-old had to overcome a horde of talented and hungry shuttlers en route to victory. And they – Sho Sasaki of Japan, Hu Yun of Hong Kong, Jan O Jorgensen and Viktor Axelsen – were all ranked higher than him. So, kudos to Daren. And what about Wee Wern? Her exploits in the China Open may have come in the absence of the most dominant player the world of squash has known – Nicol. But take nothing away from Wee Wern's achievement. The 22-year-old still had to get past four tricky and dangerous opponents – Australia's Rachael Grinham, Egypt's Omneya Abdel Kawy, another Australian Kasey Brown and finally New Zealand's Joelle King – before she could get her hands on the trophy. And the best part of it all is that she did it without the benefit of a foreign coach or overseas training (although she had a stint with Nicol's coach Liz Irving in Amsterdam last year). Whether Daren could have won if Chong Wei or any of China's big names were there is open to debate. The same with Wee Wern. But let's give them credit for what they have done. They took care of business professionally and disposed of whoever stood in front of them. So, now our prayers have been answered. Or have they? Could this be just a mirage? Could Daren and Wee Wern be one-hit wonders? I don't mean to be a spoilsport or a party-pooper. But let's not get too carried away. Daren and Wee Wern must now prove that they can do the business week in and week out – just like Chong Wei and Nicol. Be consistent winners or at least be genuine title challengers. That's the hallmark of champions. Now if only more youngsters can raise their level in their respective sports – like Pandelela Rinong (diving), Azizulhasni Awang (cycling), Zulfahmi Khairuddin and Nabil Jeffri (motor racing) have done – then we can proudly say that Malaysia Got Talent indeed! |
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