Pacquiao to fight Matthysse in July
Boxing promoter Oscar De La Hoya confirmed on Monday that Argentina's World Boxing Association welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse will defend his title against Manny Pacquiao in Kuala Lumpur in July. In a statement on Twitter, De La Hoya said the contest was now confirmed. "Signed, sealed, and delivered: Proud to officially announce that WBA welterweight world champion @MatthysseLucas will put his title on the line against @mannypacquiao in Kuala Lumpur, Malyasia on Saturday night July 14 (US time)," De La Hoya wrote. Pacquiao has not fought in the ring since being defeated on points by Australia's Jeff Horn in Brisbane in July, a loss that cost the Filipino his WBO crown.
India cleared of doping charges
India was cleared of doping charges but slapped with a "strong written reprimand" on Tuesday after syringes were found in the Commonwealth Games athletes village. The Games' Federation Court said the doctor of India's boxing team injected an unwell fighter with vitamins, but breached rules on the use of syringes. Games officials separately said that analysis of the contents of the syringes, which were found by a cleaner, showed they didn't contain performanceenhancing drugs.
Berg double sends Al Hilal crashing out
Marcus Berg scored from the penalty spot twice as UAE’s Al Ain sent last year’s runnersup Al Hilal crashing out of the Asian Champions League (ACL) on Monday. The 2-1 defeat saw Al Hilal fail to add to its two points after five matches in Group D, as the Saudi giants exited in the group phase of the tournament for the first time since 2006. It was Al Hilal who drew first blood, however, when Mohamed al-Burayk's scored in the seventh minute. But the hosts earned a penalty after Al Hilal defender Mohamed Jahfali recklessly tackled Omar Abdulrahman. Although Abdulrahman failed to convert from the spot, with goalkeeper Ali al Habsi making a fine save, the UAE star won a second penalty five minutes before the break when he was brought down by Ali al Bulayhi. This time it was Swede Berg who made no mistake to level the scores. Al Ain was awarded its third penalty of the game when Rayan Haslam was fouled in first-half added time. Berg again converted to seal the win. Other results: Group C: Al Sadd 2 Al Wasl 1, Persepolis 0 Nasaf 0; Group D: Esteghlal 2 Al Rayyan 0.
Casillas makes 1,000th appearance
Iconic Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas played the 1,000th match of his career on Monday as Portuguese title contenders Porto suffered a damaging 0-2 defeat at Belenenses. Casillas was making his 108th appearance for Porto, having previously turned out 725 times with boyhood club Real Madrid while earning 167 caps for Spain. He captained his country to their first World Cup title in 2010 as well as consecutive European Championships, in 2008 and 2012. The 36 year old broke through into the Real first team as a teenager in 1999, winning the Champions League on three occasions.