Sports Digest

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Cleverly defends title against Bellew

BOXING: WBO light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly will defend his title against Tony Bellew in October, with the winner facing a potential clash with American legend Bernard Hopkins.

Bellew was granted a shock world title shot at Cleverly in May and engaged in a fiery press conference, only to pull out hours later as he could not make the weight.

Cleverly went onto defend his belt against Poland’s Aleksy Kuziemski inside four rounds, but will now belatedly come toe-to-toe with Bellew on October 15th at the Liverpool Echo Arena.

While the bout takes place in Bellew’s home town, the 24-year-old insists the venue will make no difference. “Whether it was set up in here today, in Liverpool or Wales it makes no difference to the outcome of the fight. It is still Tony Bellew and I am still the world champion going in there.”

Saracens get timely boost

RUGBY: Saracens have received a boost ahead of the start of their Premiership title defence with the news that their entire coaching staff have committed themselves to the club until 2014.

Sarries secured their maiden Premiership title with victory over Leicester at Twickenham in May under the guidance of director of rugby Mark McCall.

And the former Ulster boss has been rewarded with a new three-year deal, with his backroom staff of Andy Farrell (head coach), Brendan Venter (technical director), Paul Gustard (defence and forward coach), Alex Sanderson (forwards coach) and Dan Vickers (kicking coach) all agreeing the same length of deal.

McCall was promoted from his previous position of head coach in January after Venter elected to take up a role that would allow him to spend more time with his family.

The South African had guided the club to the 2010 Premiership final at the end of his first campaign in charge.

Vicks agrees lucrative six-year deal

AMERICAN FOOTBALL: Michael Vick’s return to the NFL elite received another boost when the Philadelphia quarterback agreed to a lucrative six-year deal that will make him one of the league’s highest-paid players.

The contract is worth a reported $100m and completes Vick’s rehabilitation into professional football after he spent 18 months in prison following his 2007 conviction on dog-fighting charges.

The 31-year-old returned to the NFL in 2009 when he joined the Eagles as a back-up quarterback. An injury to Kevin Kolb last season opened the door for Vick and the electrifying runner and passer threw for 3,018 yards and 21 touchdowns to go with nine rushing touchdowns as he reached his fourth career Pro Bowl.

Roche and Martin back in action

CYCLING: Nicolas Roche and Daniel Martin will today resume the Vuelta a España, batteries recharged somewhat after the race’s first rest day, writes Shane Stokes.

The duo have performed solidly thus far, with Roche sitting 17th, three minutes 47 seconds off the race lead and Martin seven places and one minute 11 seconds further back. Both had hoped to be higher up in the general classification but there are many stages ahead which should suit them.

The highlight thus far was Martin’s stage win on Sunday plus his lead in the King of the Mountains classification. He had a disappointing time trial on Monday but has said that he plans to concentrate on the mountains ahead; as a strong climber, he has a chance to advance.

Chris Froome (Sky Procycling) leads overall heading into today’s 171 km race to the summit of the Estación de Montaña Manzaneda.

Poulter picks Rose for World Cup assault

GOLF: Ian Poulter will be back in partnership with Justin Rose for golf’s World Cup in China in November.

Poulter had the chance to select an England team-mate after higher-ranked Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Paul Casey all turned down the event.

Poulter and Rose were partners in the 2008 Ryder Cup, winning two of their three games together, and at the 2007 World Cup, where they finished fourth.

Scotland will have Martin Laird and Stephen Gallacher, Ireland the last two US Open champions in Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell and Wales, who avoided having to qualify because of other withdrawals, Jamie Donaldson and Rhys Davies.

Ryder Cup brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari defend the title they claimed for Italy two years ago.

McIlroy shot wins another award

GOLF: Rory McIlroy has won the European Tour’s Shot of the Month award for the second time in a row. During the Irish Open at Killarney McIlroy hooked a sand-wedge 50 yards around a tree to within 12 feet of the flag.

Second was Darren Clarke’s 18-foot eagle putt on the final day of the British Open and third was a five-iron by Alex Noren in the Nordea Masters in Sweden. In June McIlroy topped the poll after almost holing-in-one during his US Open triumph.