IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Boxing

Mayweather denies discord

LAS VEGAS: Ricky Hatton's trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr has shrugged off rumors of discord in the British fighter's camp, saying he was happy with the build-up to Saturday's 12-round title bout.

Englishman Hatton, undefeated at his natural weight of 140 pounds, will defend his IBO light-welterweight title against Filipino southpaw Manny Pacquiao on Saturday.

"It doesn't mean that the camp wasn't a good camp because people had their problems," Mayweather told reporters at the MGM Grand Hotel on Thursday.

Motor racing

Hartley gains super-licence

WELLINGTON: New Zealand's Brendon Hartley has been granted his motor racing super-licence and will join Red Bull as a reserve driver, the Formula One team said.

Hartley was granted his super-licence by governing body the FIA on Wednesday, and he would join Red Bull as the reserve driver ahead of next week's Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona, the team said on their website (www.redbullracing.com).

"I am very happy to have been granted my super-license," Hartley told the website. "I must thank Red Bull for all their support since 2005 and this new role is another step on the path to reaching my goal of being a Formula One driver."

Nfl

Smith sent to Patriots

NEW YORK: Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded tight end Alex Smith to the New England Patriots on Thursday in exchange for an undisclosed selection in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Four-year veteran Smith, who entered the league as a third-round pick (71st pick overall) by the Bucs in the 2005 draft, played in 14 games with 12 starts last season and totaled 21 receptions for 250 yards and three touchdowns.

Miscellaneous

Balloon event to blast off

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China and the 10th anniversary of Macao's return to it, the Beijing-Macao Hot-air Balloon Rally Flight will be held from September to December.

Though titled a Beijing to Macao race, the opening ceremony will be held at the tomb of the Yellow Emperor, also called Huangdiling in Shaanxi province on Sept 20.

Then the 80-plus-day trip, featuring 34 balloons representing China's 34 provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions and Special Administrative Regions, will fly over 12 provinces and municipalities including Shaanxi, Henan, Beijing, Shandong, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong and eventually Macao.

COC licensed store opens

The first licensed store of the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) opened at the main Beijing Olympic venue, the Bird's Nest, on Thursday, marking the launching of the COC 2009-12 Licensing Program.

The COC licensing program includes the production and distribution of licensed products featuring the logo of COC and Chinese sports team.

Products will also include the ceremonial outfits worn by the Chinese delegation, stamps and various kinds of precious products with limited issue numbers.

COC is also holding discussions with the International Olympic Committee to introduce products bearing logos of previous and future Olympic Games.

The store is located on the first floor of the Bird's Nest.

(China Daily 05/02/2009 page12)