DIGEST: Oscar De La Hoya will have retribution on his mind when he makes the penultimate stop on his path to boxing's Hall of Fame in Las Vegas late tonight.
The Los Angeles "Golden Boy" returns to the ring after an 18-month absence to challenge trash-talking Nicaraguan Ricardo Mayorga for his WBC light-middleweight title.
De La Hoya is intent on silencing former welterweight champion Mayorga, who has derided his rival at every opportunity, before moving on to a big farewell fight on September 16th.
De La Hoya, who has won world titles in six different weight divisions in the course of his glittering 14-year career, said: "It is the motivation that keeps me going now.
"I do want to teach this guy a lesson and hit him as hard as I can, but at the same time I have to be cool and collected and stick to my game plan."
Mayorga is as notorious for his bad-mouthing and wild living outside the ring as he is for his brawling style within the ropes.
Known for drinking and smoking throughout his training camps.
This week Mayorga provoked more controversy, claiming: "I am going to knock him out but I want to stop his heart or detach his retina - one of the two."
The outcome of an intriguing clash of styles could well hinge on which of the champion's wild slugs or the challenger's textbook boxing style have aged best.
Ed Joyce was out just one run short of a half century playing for England A against the touring Sri Lankans at Worcester yesterday, writes James Fitzgerald. The former Dublin University, Merrion and Ireland batsman faced 107 balls for his 49 runs, an innings that included 10 fours.
This match is an opportunity for fringe players like Joyce to attract the attention of England selectors ahead of the first Test of the summer against Sri Lanka, starting next Thursday in Lord's.
Joyce's was the fourth wicket to fall, and although his knock of 49 was second top score, it is unlikely to be good enough to earn a call-up to the full England side, which will be announced tomorrow morning.
Young Irish professional Nicolas Roche finished 35th in the bunch sprint which ended the third stage of the Four Days of Dunkirk in Hénin Beaumont, France yesterday, writes Shane Stokes. The Cofidis rider was classified in the same time as winner Gert Steegmans (Davitamon-Lotto).
He had started the day 11th overall, 49 seconds back. He remains at the same time deficit to the leader, Roberto Petito (Team Tenax Salmilano), but several other riders have nudged ahead of him in the general classification. He is now 17th overall and remains fourth in the best young rider standings, just four seconds behind Niels Brouzes (Auber 93).
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