Ward: Froch will beat Kessler
Andre Ward: Tipping Carl Froch Andre Ward is tipping Carl Froch to emerge victorious from Saturday’s rematch with Mikkel Kessler.
The American is the only man to have beaten both fighters and is rumoured to be set to fight the winner of the O2 Arena bout.
Ward believes Froch has faced a higher calibre of opponent than Kessler and says he would be “shocked” if the Dane wins.
“Carl Froch has been in some tough fights but I think he has more in the tank,” Ward told Boxing News magazine.
“I think Kessler has kind of dipped a little bit since he and I fought, and even since he fought Froch the first time.
Even though it’s going to be a tough fight, it’s going to be back and forth, I can’t see Kessler winning this.
“Kessler’s last two performances, he hasn’t fought the best guys – a shopworn Allan Green then Brian Magee, who’s very tough but limited – and he’s going to look good against them but I don’t know if he has the same fire as when he fought Froch the first time.
“I would be shocked if Kessler got his hand raised.
I think Froch wins and I wouldn’t be surprised if Froch caught and stopped him.”
Fed: Murray injury bad timing
Roger Federer says Andy Murray is one of the fittest men on the tour.
Tennis great Roger Federer says the timing of Andy Murray’s back injury is very unfortunate for the British world No 2.
Murray picked up the injury during the Rome Masters and has already announced he will have to miss the French Open, which gets underway on Sunday.
However, 17-time Grand Slam winner Federer has backed Murray to be fit for Wimbledon, which gets underway on 24 June.
“What you don’t want to happen is to get injured in this phase right now – right before the French, leading into Wimbledon,” said Federer.
“I think that is what happened when Andy injured his wrist six years or so ago.
Something happened in Hamburg and he missed the whole tour.
“The back comes and goes, as we know.
Injuries are part of the game “Clearly, only Andy knows what he has, how much pain he feels, but those are normal tennis injuries to have, those wear and tear, niggling injuries.
“It’s part of the game, it’s what we do, we play with pain very often.
“The only problem is, if you play too long with something that hurts, it’s just not so much fun any more.
“Andy is one of the fittest guys out there and I am sure he is going to be ready.”
No French Derby for Vendome
Style Vendome: Could come to Ascot Style Vendome, winner of the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp, will not run in the Prix du Jockey-Club on Sunday week.
Trainer Nicolas Clement feels the mile-and-a-quarter trip in the Chantilly Classic would stretch the colt’s stamina to the limit.
Style Vendome, who has impressively won his last five races, could instead head to Royal Ascot for the St James’s Palace Stakes over a mile.
Clement said: “He is very well and is a happy horse.
He has put on all of his weight after Longchamp and now has two options.
“We have yet to decide, but he could go to Ascot or the Jean Prat (Chantilly, June 30).
Those are two good races which would suit him very well.
“He is not going to the French Derby as there is still a question mark about his stamina.”
Rebels confirm Delve departure
Gareth Delve, left, will leave the Melbourne Rebels this summer Gareth Delve is to leave the Melbourne Rebels this summer, with one of his final appearances likely to come against the British and Irish Lions.
The Wales international’s three-year contract with the Super 15 side expires in July and he has been linked with a move to Japan.
Delve joined the Rebels in 2010, captaining them from their inception as a Super Rugby team, and signed a one-year extension this season.
Rebels chief executive Rob Clarke said: “The Rebels were very grateful that the ARU (Australian Rugby Union) allowed special dispensation for Gareth to remain at the club beyond a two-year window, as part of the international marquee rulings.
“Gareth has been an inspirational leader since he arrived from the UK in 2010.
“We all know the impact Gareth has had on the rugby field, but what many people don’t realise is the significant impact he has had within the Victorian rugby community, travelling throughout Victoria promoting rugby, visiting schools, clubs and local charities.”
West Brom to consider quartet
Steven Reid: Could be awarded a new deal at the Hawthorns Sky Bet Football Betting Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds Football Betting 10 Free Bet West Brom have released winger Jerome Thomas and defender Gonzalo Jara Reyes, while a quartet of players have been told they could still have a future at the club.
The Baggies have the option to terminate Steven Reid’s contract as he has not made enough appearances to guarantee his final year, but they are currently in negotiations with the former Republic of Ireland international over a new deal.
The club also plan to hold talks with Zoltan Gera, who saw his season ended in January by a knee agent and is set to become a free agent this summer.
Marc-Antoine Fortune is coming to the end of his contract and West Brom say they have not ruled out the possibility of making the striker a new offer.
Meanwhile, with Goran Popov’s season-long loan stint at the midlands outfit having concluded, they are looking to speak to the defender’s parent club Dynamo Kiev before deciding whether or not to pursue a permanent deal.
Striker Romelu Lukaku is returning to Chelsea after his successful loan spell and Albion will not be exercising their option to permanently sign AA Gent forward Yassine El Ghanassy.
Clark could take legal route
Tim Clark: South African unhappy with anchored putters ban Tim Clark has said that he is among “a fair number” of players taking legal advice over the ban on anchored putters.
The R&A and USGA confirmed on Tuesday that the ban will come into effect from January 1, 2016, with Rule 14-1b approved after consideration of comments and suggestions made during the 90-day consultation process.
Legal action from players who use anchored putters has long been mooted and South African Clark said: “We do have legal counsel.
“We’re going to explore our options.
We’re not going to just roll over and accept this.” R&A chief executive Peter Dawson admitted on Tuesday to being concerned that players could file lawsuits.
“I very much hope not,” he said.
“I don’t think lawsuits will be on particularly strong ground.
“We are not so sure of ourselves that you can always be sure you’re going to be right, but we have certainly done our homework on this one, far more than anything else in my time at the R&A.” American Webb Simpson won the US Open last year with an anchored putter – four of the last six majors have been won by players with long or belly putters – and feels players should have more input into the rules.
He wrote on Twitter: “What am I going to do? Well I always use short putter at home to make sure my set up is same.
“So I will keep practicing and see what the Tour says.
I was going to maybe switch at some point anyways, whatever will make me better!”
Chamakh linked with Bordeaux
Marouane Chamakh has failed to make an impact at Arsenal Sky Bet Football Betting Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds Football Betting 10 Free Bet Arsenal outcast Marouane Chamakh has been offered the chance to return for former club Bordeaux.
Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud has urged the Moroccan to get in touch if he wants to rejoin the French side.
He told Sud-Ouest: “For me, we can talk about a return when the player or his agent picks up the phone and calls me.
For now, it does not happen.” Chamakh won a Ligue 1 title with Les Girondins in 2009 and scored 61 goals in 251 appearances during his eight-year stint at the club.
The 29-year-old joined Arsenal in 2010 and scored 11 goals in his debut season, but he has become a peripheral figure and managed just one league start this campaign before being shipped out on loan to West Ham.
Chamakh made three appearances during an unsuccessful stint at Upton Park and is believed to be keen on a switch back to Bordeaux.
Eclipse the plan for Pastorius
Nathaniel outbattles Farhh to win last year’s Eclipse German trainer Mario Hofer could attempt to win the Coral-Eclipse with Pastorius.
Last month’s Prix Ganay scorer beat just one horse home in the Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji on Sunday, but returned from the race with cuts to his front legs.
Hofer hopes Pastorius will swiftly recover from those exertions in time for a possible return to England at Sandown on July 6.
The four-year-old colt was last seen on these shores finishing fourth to Frankel in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot last October.
Hofer said: “We will check to see if everything is okay with him in the next two or three weeks.
If he is fine, then we will maybe go to Sandown with him.
“Singapore can be forgotten.
It was not his race.
“It is only a small problem, we think, and I am sure you will see him come back to his best.”
O’Driscoll rules out World Cup
Brian O’Driscoll feels he still has plenty to give at both provincial and international level Brian O’Driscoll says he will retire from rugby when his new contract expires at the end of next season.
The former Ireland captain signed a one-year extension with the IRFU last week, ending speculation surrounding his future.
However, O’Driscoll told the Irish Times he will only play for one more season with Leinster and Ireland.
“I really am not ready for a year of speculation,” he said.
“It is going to be just the one.
I can’t handle that in every interview that I do.
“I know with my wife, I did agree to do just one more.
I did say as well when I was talking about a World Cup, that means three pre-seasons.
I don’t have another three pre-seasons in me.” O’Driscoll, who is expected to feature in Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 final against Ulster ahead of travelling Down Under with the Lions, said he only recently made the decision to continue playing.
“There were lots of different factors in who was going to come in as national coach,” he said, “and then who was going to come in at provincial level.
“From a family situation then in terms of what my wife’s set-up was, we’ve a new baby girl.
And also how my body was.
All of those factors come into things.
“So it was about weighing up all those options and wondering was I ready to give it up, knowing that I wouldn’t be playing anymore and you’re a long time retired.
“I just felt that I still had plenty to give to be able to allow myself one more year.” O’Driscoll admitted he was surprised at Ronan O’Gara’s decision to take up a coaching role with Racing Metro, but believes he will form a good working relationship with Jonny Sexton at the Top 14 club.
He said: “The boys have had an interesting relationship over the last few years but it’s grown into a good friendship recently.
The dynamic will work well over there.” O’Driscoll also paid tribute to O’Gara, who retired as the record points scorer for Ireland and in the Heineken Cup.
“There’s very few guys that you’d be willing to put your life on but he’s definitely one of them,” he said.
“He backed himself right to the very end and I think that confidence has stood to him over a fantastic career.
“He is without a shadow of a doubt one of the better players I’ve ever played with.”
Liverpool plan to hold Suarez
Luis Suarez: Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is confident the striker will still be at the club next season Sky Bet Football Betting Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds Football Betting 10 Free Bet Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists he expects striker Luis Suarez to be at the club next season.
Rodgers admits the Reds may have to field enquiries about the Uruguay international, but he believes it will take an exceptional offer for Suarez to leave.
“Listen, every player has their price but there’s certainly no pressure for the club to sell him.
We’re trying to build that bit of quality so he’s not for sale,” Rodgers said.
“I don’t have any doubts there will be interest in him this summer, because he’s up there.
“There’s a small percentage of players who are world class and he’s in that bracket, so I don’t think it will be too dissimilar to when I first came in last summer, with clubs making their interest known.
“People will want to take him, but I think we all recognise how integral he is.
The owners have been absolutely unequivocal in their resolve in terms of wanting to keep him.”
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