Boxing

WBA orders Khan-Peterson rematch

The World Boxing Association on Friday ordered a rematch within 180 days of the controversial light-welterweight world title fight between Britain's Amir Khan and American Lamont Peterson.

The move comes in the wake of a much debated split-decision victory by Peterson over the Englishman last month in Washington, Peterson's hometown, and after a formal appeal by Golden Boy Promotions to the WBA on behalf of Khan.

"I'm pleased that justice has been done and the WBA has ordered an immediate rematch," Khan said. "All we ask as sportsmen is for a fair and level playing field when we compete.

"Lamont Peterson proved in our fight that he is a great competitor. I hope a second bout will be just as exciting. I want to prove without doubt that I'm the best in the 140-pound division by taking care of business in the rematch."

Referee Joe Cooper deducted points from Khan in the seventh and 12th rounds for pushing, a rare call, and did not credit Khan with what should have been a knockdown in the first round, according to the WBA.

NFL

Fisher to coach St. Louis Rams - report

Former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher has agreed to become the new coach of the St. Louis Rams, he said on Friday.

Fisher chose the Rams over the Miami Dolphins, who were also looking for a new coach. The details of the contract were not revealed.

"I'm really excited that the Rams are the best fit for me," Fisher told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"I took a lot of time looking at and exploring in detail the non-economic issues of both clubs."

Fisher was head coach of the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans for 17 seasons before leaving after the 2010 season.

He compiled a 142-120 regular season record, taking the Titans to the 2000 Super Bowl, where they lost to the Rams.

Soccer

Allegri signs new Milan deal

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri signed a new deal on Friday which will keep him at the helm of the Italian champion until 2014, the club announced.

According to Italian press reports, Allegri, who won the Serie A title in his first year in charge last season, wanted an annual salary of three million euros while the club would only go as high as 2.5 million.

"I'm very happy to have the chance to work with Milan for another two years," Allegri told the club's official website.

"I believe that everything is in place to continue what we started a year and a half ago."

The deal was signed two days before the Milan derby at the San Siro on Sunday.

Ukraine keeper Rybka fails drugs test

Ukraine international goalkeeper Alexander Rybka faces a two-year ban after testing positive for a banned substance contained in a weight-loss product, local media said on Friday.

Reports said the samples, which the 24-year-old Shakhtar Donetsk player gave after a domestic league match in November, contained a banned diuretic.

"After November's league match with Karpaty Lviv, Rybka took the diuretic in attempt to lose some weight," said Shakhtar general manager Sergei Palkin. "After UEFA discovered that his samples contained the banned medication they sent us a letter demanding to suspend him from matches under UEFA control.

"Alexander (Rybka) will unlikely avoid disqualification for the violation of the doping code. Now we can only guess how long will it be. Usually it lasts from six months to two years."

Cycling

Boonen out to silence the critics

Belgian sprinter Tom Boonen has said the London Olympics will give him the chance to prove that at 31 he can still produce the goods in the saddle.

Bothered by several injuries last year, Boonen recorded just two race victories, Gent-Wevelgem and the opening stage of the Tour of Qatar.

The Mol-born cyclist is keen to prove the doubters wrong in 2012 and has set his sights on achieving glory in London.

"I've studied the Olympic course. It's a good circuit. I am convinced that I can achieve something. The Olympic road event is a real goal," Boonen said at a presentation of the Omega Pharma-Quick step team in Vilvorde.

"It will be without doubt one of the most important times of my career because the Games are the most prestigious sporting event. I wasn't in Athens (2004), nor Beijing (2008) and I regret it," he said.

AFP - Reuters

(China Daily 01/15/2012 page7)