Sports Digest/BOXING: Wayne McCullough believes he can finally realise his dream of becoming a two-time world champion when he challenges Oscar Larios for the WBC super-bantamweight title tomorrow night.
Since he won the WBC bantamweight title in 1995, McCullough has lost super-bantamweight title challenges to Mexicans Daniel Zaragoza and Erik Morales and WBO featherweight bouts with Naseem Hamed and, most recently in 2003, Scott Harrison.
Despite being hospitalised after his Harrison defeat in Glasgow and calls for his retirement, Las Vegas-based Belfast man McCullough returned to action in October with a two-round blow-out of journeyman Mike Juarez.
Now he is focused on taking Larios' belt 10 years on since his first world title success in Japan and does not believe that, at 34, his best days are behind him.
"Age is just a number. I'm a fresh 34; I haven't had that many fights and I know that I can beat Larios," said McCullough, who faces Larios in Lemoore, California.
"It's the last chance for me and I intend to get that second world title that I have always dreamed about."
GOLF: Former European Ryder Cup captain Tony Jacklin believes Nick Faldo should take over the mantle from Bernhard Langer for the 2006 matches at the K Club in Co Kildare.
Six-time major winner Faldo, Ian Woosnam, Jose Maria Olazabal and Sandy Lyle are in the running to succeed 2004 captain Langer, who last week ruled out a second term in charge.
"Nick Faldo's major wins and his career set him aside, quite frankly, from anyone else," Jacklin (60), said.
"When you've been in the arena as he has for so many years, nobody knows better what it takes.
"I think he very much deserves the honour. Should he be passed up this time, he may not get it again," added Jacklin. "He's not always said the right things at the right time, but he and I have maintained a friendship for many years."
Europe's 2006 captain is expected to be announced on March 2nd, the day before the start of the Dubai Desert Classic.
TENNIS: Andre Agassi has been lured back to the US Davis Cup team. Agassi will play in the Americans' first-round match against Croatia early next month in Carson, California.
The United States Tennis Association announced Agassi, who lost to Roger Federer in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, will join Andy Roddick and the doubles tandem of Bob and Mike Bryan.
The 34-year-old has posted a 30-5 singles record in Davis Cup play while being a part of three Davis Cup championship teams.
CRICKET: England coach Duncan Fletcher has said he is happy in his job and would not be applying for the soon-to-be advertised position as South Africa coach.
Incumbent coach Ray Jennings was appointed on an interim basis until the conclusion of their West Indies tour at the end of May, and a South African Board spokesman said yesterday the permanent position would be advertised this week.
"I'm not applying for it, I'm with England and I'm happy to be with them," Zimbabwean-born Fletcher told a news conference in East London, where his side will meet South Africa in the fifth of seven one-day internationals today.
BOXING: The Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) surprised some with its recent decision to open the doors of the National Stadium to professional boxing, but women boxing at the South Circular Road venue, which is likely to shock, amuse and offend in equal measure, will become a reality this Friday night, writes Pat Roche.
The men's National Intermediate championship finals will be contested in conjunction with the inaugural women's National Novice Intermediate championships.
Top of the bill on Friday will be Marlyn Bane (Monivea, Galway), Jenny Campbell (St Francis, Limerick), Caroline Connolly (Raphoe), Michelle Brady (Cavan) and Lavinia Heffernan (Fermoy).
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