BOXING: Conor McGregor has posted photos on social media of him landing blows on a sparring partner during training for his showdown with Floyd Mayweather. The mixed martial artist faces Mayweather in Las Vegas on August 26 in a contest that will be staged under normal boxing rules. One of the photos published on his Instagram account shows a bare-chested McGregor finding his target above the caption of “Left uppercut. Southpaw”. The 28-year-old can also be seen connecting with a left jab, the picture accompanied by the words “Full 74 inch reach. And I’m in Orthodox”.
SAILING:Team New Zealand have received a $5 million funding from the country’s government in a boost to the defence of their recent America’s Cup win over Oracle Team USA in Bermuda. A dominant Emirates Team New Zealand claimed international sport’s oldest trophy with a 7-1 win against the US holders in Bermuda’s Great Sound, with 26-year-old Peter Burling becoming the youngest helmsman to secure sailing’s biggest prize. The stunning win was also welcomed by officials in New Zealand who termed it as a feel-good boost in an election year.
CRICKET:South Africa captain Faf du Plessis will miss the first test against England at Lords starting on Thursday due to family reasons. Du Plessis has stayed in South Africa to be with wife Imari following the birth of the couple’s first child. “Faf’s wife gave birth to their first child last week but the difficult nature of the delivery has delayed his return to the UK,” team manager Mohammed Moosajee said.
GOLF:Danielle Kang’s one regret after her maiden LPGA triumph at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on Sunday was that her father was not alive to see her become a major winner. Kang, a two-times US Women’s Amateur champion, took longer to win as a pro than many expected but finally closed the deal with a three-under-par 68 for a one-shot victory over Canadian Brooke Henderson at Olympia Fields. K.S. Kang was unable to witness his daughter’s victory, however, having died of cancer in late 2013.
CURLING:Sochi silver medallist David Murdoch has announced his retirement from curling just 10 days after being denied a place on his fourth consecutive Winter Olympic team. The 39-year-old, who also won two world titles in his illustrious career, has opted instead to take up a new role as a consultant coach within British Curling. Murdoch said: “After the announcement regarding Pyeongchang I had to think about what would come next. I had always wanted to pursue my coaching and management ambitions and now I’m ready for that.”