Sports Digest
BOXING: Britain's Ricky Hatton has landed his dream shot at world light-welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu. After weeks of speculation, Tszyu has confirmed he is to defend his IBF title against Hatton in Manchester on June 5th.
The news presents a major coup for Hatton and his promoter, Frank Warren, who have endured frustration and some criticism in the past for failing to secure fights against the biggest names.
Tszyu - who returned from a two-year injury absence in November with a second round win over top contender Sharmba Mitchell - told his personal website he has accepted the deal.
GOLF: Vijay Singh held on to his lead after Saturday's third round of the PGA Tour season-opening Mercedes Championships in Hawaii.
The Fijian, who has not dropped a shot in the tournament, had one eagle and two birdies in a four-under-par 69 in ideal conditions on Maui's Kapalua Plantation course.
The world number one was on 19 under at 200 with one round left, one clear of Jonathan Kaye, who stormed home with six back-nine birdies on his way to a seven-under-par 66.
Ernie Els was another shot back on 202 after a 68, while Tiger Woods trailed by five shots after two late bogeys saw him card a 69.
Singh teed off two shots clear of Mike Weir, and although he was quickly caught by Els, he never trailed. He had two birdies on the front nine and added an eagle at the par-five 15th, where he crashed his second shot within nine feet of the pin.
Defending champion Stuart Appleby shot 66 and trails by four shots.
MOTOR SPORT: Defending Dakar Rally champion and race leader Stephane Peterhansel remains confident of following up last year's victory despite limping home in stage nine on Saturday.
The Mitsubishi driver had to play second fiddle to fellow Frenchman and team-mate Luc Alphand on the Tidjikja to Atar leg in Mauritania, but still holds a lead of just over 20 minutes over the former World Cup downhill skier. Yesterday was a rest day.
Peterhansel, the most successful competitor to have competed in the event after winning seven of his 17 attempts, six on a bike and one in a car, suffered engine trouble towards the end of the 361 km stage.
"Forty kilometres before the end of the stage, the engine made a very strange noise. So I drove very carefully and slowly until the finish line to take care of the car," he said.
With seven stages to race before the rally ends next Sunday Peterhansel remains optimistic of overall victory.
"Halfway through the rally, the situation isn't too bad for us. I hadn't started very well, but the Mauritanian stages saved me. I haven't managed impressive performances, but being constant was at least a good choice."
BOXING: The Four Nations Amateur committee, consisting of delegates from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, has covered its options in the event of the Cuban Federation being unable to fulfil a match against a team of champions in Liverpool and later in Dublin during April, writes Pat Roche.
IABA president Dominic O'Rourke, along with secretary Sean Crowley and vice president Tommy Murphy, attended a recent meeting in Liverpool and indications are that a team of Russian champions will deputise if the Cubans cannot make it.
"The Cubans finished their season last month and we will not be able to confirm their plans to tour until next week," said O'Rourke.
The Irish National championships will be decided by March 18th, and the winners will compete in the Four Nations championships in Liverpool a week later. A further week on, the Nations team of champions will take on either the Cubans or the Russians there, and the following week the Irish ABA champions will box the Cuban or Russian title holders in Dublin.
