Sports Digest/BOXING: Six-time National light-heavyweight champion Kenneth Egan has been awarded the captaincy for Ireland's team to take on Poland in an amateur boxing match at the National Stadium tonight, reports Pat Roche.
It will be the first visit of a full Polish team to Dublin in 10 years and a large crowd from the Polish community in Ireland is expected to attend the event.
The Irish team has six national title holders in all. Apart from Egan, the other reigning champions are light-fly James Moore (Limerick), fly Conor Ahern (Arklow), feather Eric Donovan (St Michael's, Athy), light JJ Joyce (St Michael's, Athy) and light-welter Dermot Hamill (Ballymena).
In addition, four defeated national finalists are included in the home team - bantam Kevin Fennessey (Clonmel), welters Terry O'Neill (Mount Tallant) and David Joyce (St Michael's, Athy), and middle Darren O'Neill (Paulstown).
Should it be as close as it was on the last occasion - when the Poles won by the odd bout in 11 - Ireland's prospects could hardly be in better hands than Egan, who faces Mauris Welc in what should be a cracking contest.
Landis begins his defence
CYCLING: Tour de France winner Floyd Landis yesterday made public documents he says will prove his innocence against allegations of doping.
Landis (30) tested positive for excessive amounts of the male sex hormone testosterone following the decisive 17th stage of this year's Tour de France.
Arnie Baker, a long-time coach and adviser to Landis and a retired physician, said Landis's test samples were mis-labeled, a specimen was contaminated and the testing was unreliable.
Landis will make his case during a hearing by the American Arbitration Association early next year.
F1 returns to Belgium
MOTOR SPORT: A planned €37 million upgrade of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit has guaranteed the Belgian Grand Prix a place on next year's Formula One calendar.
The race was axed from this year's series as former promoters DDF1 went bankrupt, while track improvements were not made on time.
However, Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has signed a contract with new promoters, Spa Grand Prix, who have offered assurances the revamp will be completed.
The race will take place on September 16th, 2007.
