Snooker in need of change says, Taylor

Snooker: Dennis Taylor yesterday predicted snooker could be on the verge of another golden age.

The former world champion believes the controversial rival world tour being set up by Scottish-based internet company The Sportsmasters' Network will give his sport the kick up the backside it badly needs.

TSN have announced a breakaway 10-tournament circuit for the 2001-2 campaign including a World Championship in Birmingham in direct opposition to the WPBSA's Embassy world event at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.

Taylor, like all those involved in or affected by the sport's power struggle, fears the repercussions if their game is sliced in two.

"TSN want to take the game forward, all they are concerned about is the players and they want to build the game around the world," said Taylor.

"It still has the potential to attract massive viewing figures just so long as we get the proper managers in instead of former players."

Taylor accused the WPBSA of letting a potentially lucrative and beneficial future incorporating TSN slip through the net.

Boxing: Lennox Lewis faces fights inside and outside the ring following yesterday's confirmation of a time and date to take on heavyweight challenger Hasim Rahman and a less savoury legal clash with his disenchanted promoter Panos Eliades.

While Eliades was claiming he is owed millions of dollars by the British IBF and WBC heavyweight champion - and that he is about to begin legal action to reclaim his money - Lewis' manager Frank Maloney was making happier announcements about his boxer's next title defence.

Lewis will face American Rahman in Johannesburg on Saturday, April 21st.

But before then he may have to concern himself with the legal storm Eliades is brewing up amid reports that his relationship with Lewis has gone off the rails.

Meanwhile Lewis's projected fight against Mike Tyson may be the hottest ticket in boxing, but it is still on ice with the men who matter.

"Nothing's changed", said Jay Larkin, executive of Tyson's cable network Showtime yesterday. "Nothing has moved. It's pretty much a stalemate."

Yet 10 days ago, the richest fight in history looked ready to take off with Tyson's adviser Shelley Finkel making positive statements about a September - or sooner - date.

Showtime and Lewis's American pay-per-view network Home Box Office are the major players who must negotiate an agreement. "The only way the fight is going to get made is when Lennox decides he wants to make the fight," said Larkin.

Athletics: Australian Cathy Freeman appealed yesterday for the return of the special suit she wore at the lighting of the Olympic cauldron after it was stolen at the Sydney 2000 opening ceremony.

The suit, reportedly worth up to $26,000 was stolen soon after Freeman changed out of the soaked outfit.

"It got wet during the process and it had to be changed," a spokesman for Freeman, Gavin Davis, said yesterday of the historic moment.

"After that it appears that the suit was stolen and its whereabouts are unknown," he said.