Pacquiao loses title after controversial split decision

SPORTS DIGEST:Boxing is mired in controversy again following fierce criticism of the decision to award Timothy Bradley a split decision victory over hot favourite Manny Pacquiao at Las Vegas' MGM Grand on Saturday night.

The Filipino fighter appeared to have done more than enough to take the decision, despite slowing down in the later stages, but was left stunned by the decision which cost him his WBO welterweight belt. Two judges scored the bout 115-113 to the unbeaten Bradley and one handed the win to Pacquiao by the same score, the crowd reacting angrily and jeering when the verdict was returned.

Defeat must place the long-delayed super-fight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr in serious doubt. “He never hurt me,” Pacquiao said. “I did my best. I guess my best wasn’t good enough. Most of his punches hit my arm. I don’t know what happened.”

Criticism of the decision came thick and fast, with Pacquiao’s training partner Amir Khan branding it “robbery”, Lennox Lewis calling it disgraceful and fight promoter Bob Arum saying it was “nuts”.

West Indies duo’s heroics not enough to revive hopes

Tino Best and Denesh Ramdin’s last-wicket heroics stunned England at Edgbaston, but were still powerless to permanently revive the rain-ravaged third Investec Test. After a 143-run partnership between record-breaking number 11 Best (95) and Ramdin (107no) was cancelled out by Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell’s own century stand, a draw looms today.

Once England’s reply to West Indies’ 426 was given substance by Pietersen (78) and Bell (76 no) in a stumps total of 221 for five, this contest was headed down a blind alley. There were nonetheless points of interest , topped by Best’s highest score in Test history for any number 11.

Pietersen will also have derived satisfaction at signing off in style for the next month – thanks to his retirement from limited-overs cricket – although not as much as if he had gone on to a near run-a-ball 21st Test century, which appeared his for the taking by the time he edged Marlon Samuels to slip.

His and Bell’s innings were accomplished, and significant after England stumbled to 49 for three.

Roche finishes sixth in Tour de Suisse stage

Showing that his form is on the up after a quiet early season, Nicolas Roche rode very strongly on yesterday’s second stage of the Tour de Suisse. The Ag2r La Mondiale rider climbed with the main contenders on the summit finish of Verbier, timing his efforts to perfection and hitting the line in sixth place. He was 16 seconds off the winner Rui Costa (Movistar), who had overhauled the stage leader Frank Schleck (RadioShack Nissan) inside the final 200 metres.

Overnight leader Peter Sagan (Liquigas Cannondale) cracked on the foothills of the climb and finished far back. Roche's 25th place in Saturday's time trial combined with yesterday's result sees him begin today's 194.7km stage from Martigny to Aarberg in fifth place, 21 seconds back. – SHANE STOKES

Hussey to miss ODI against Ireland

Australian middle-order batsman Mike Hussey will miss the one-day international against Ireland at Stormont on Saturday week after withdrawing from the touring squad to be with his family after the premature birth of his child. His place has gone to Queensland batsman Peter Forrest.

Ireland name their squad today and Ireland coach Phil Simmons will be delighted with the form of some of his big names. Paul Stirling scored the second century of his Middlesex career and first at Lord’s yesterday, off 84 deliveries, with 11 fours and four sixes, before holing out for 119 against Lancashire in the Clydesdale Bank 40.

Stirling’s former Irish team-mate, Eoin Morgan, blast the quickest century of the summer off 49 balls before being out for 116 attempting to hit the 12th six of his innings as Middlesex made a massive 350 for six.

Kevin O'Brien, has signed a short-term contract with Somerset for the upcoming T20 campaign, joining fellow Irish international George Dockrell in Taunton. – EMMET RIORDAN

Irish sailors shine at Olympic venue

Two of Ireland’s strongest hopes for medals at the London 2012 sailing regatta delivered promising performances at the Olympic venue at the weekend. The Skandia Sail for Gold event is the last major test before the games begin at the end of July. Peter O’Leary with David Burrows in the Star keelboat won gold while Annalise Murphy won bronze in the Laser Radial single-hander.

For O’Leary, it is second gold at this event after he won in 2010 when German Frithjof Kleen was standing-in for Burrows. The Royal Cork YC and Malahide YC duo beat the highly-rated Robert Scheidt with Bruno Prada of Brazil along with Britain’s Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson. Murphy won bronze at this event a year ago when she excelled in race wins that out-performed her older rivals

Yet medal-winning performances in Weymouth in August are still not assured as both Irish boats are mixed in a small pool of world talent that are capable of reaching the podium. Ireland's 49er skiff pairing of Ryan Seaton with Matt McGovern placed seventh in their medal race final. – DAVID BRANIGAN