Boxing
Frankie Gavin plans to bring a world title to Birmingham after revealing the chance to fight in his hometown was key in his decision to join Eddie Hearn's Matchroom stable.
Former world amateur champion Gavin was unveiled as Hearn's latest signing yesterday, joining fellow Brummies Kal and Gamal Yafai, Matthew Macklin and Sam Eggington in Hearn's stable. The 29-year-old welterweight, who has only boxed twice in the Second City in 22 professional fights so far, admitted the chance to win world honours in Birmingham was a deciding factor. "Birmingham was the inkling behind it as well as getting more fights," he said. "I'm from Birmingham and I should be fighting in Birmingham. Not just the midlands, Birmingham specifically. I should be fighting here."
Cycling
Lance Armstrong has hit out at International Cycling Union president Brian Cookson for failing to take the tough approach on doping that he promised.
Former head of British Cycling Cookson was elected president of the world governing body in September 2013, when he beat incumbent Pat McQuaid after a bitter battle. The Briton had been highly critical of McQuaid's tenure and vowed to clean up the sport. Armstrong told the BBC: "If McQuaid had made the same decisions Cookson has made in his first year, he would have been lynched.
Do we like what we have got so far?"
Armstrong also criticised Cookson for failing to force the likes of Astana team boss Alexander Vinokourov and Tinkoff-Saxo's Bjarne Riis, both of whom have a doping past, to co-operate with the panel set up to investigate the sport's darkest days. "If I'm Brian Cookson, I would make it a deal point that you have to come in and talk," said the American.