SPORTS SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2014 FED CUP PREVIEW Australia and Germany bid to end decades of Fed Cup pain PARIS: Australia and Germany aim to end decades of Fed four-woman team. Germany reached the semi-finals for The Czechs and Italy meet in Ostrava in what will be their Cup pain when they clash in the semi-finals while Italy and the first time in 19 years by defeating Slovakia. fourth semi-final clash in the last five years with the home the Czech Republic, the current tournament heavy- Their singles hopes will be spearheaded by world num- side winning each of the previous three before going on weights, face off in the other last-four tie. Australia’s last ber seven Angelique Kerber, one of only four members of to claim the title. The Czech Republic made the semi-finals final appearance was in 1993 when they lost to Spain the top 10 playing Fed Cup this weekend, and Andrea when Andrea Hlavackova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova while the most recent of their seven titles came way back Petkovic, the champion in Charleston last week. Germany won the decisive doubles to see off Spain while Italy in 1974 when Evonne Goolagong was in her pomp. are captained by Barbara Rittner who played doubles eased past 17-time champions the USA 3-1 in Cleveland. Germany haven’t won the competition since 1992 when when her country last won the Fed Cup. Australia and World number six and former Wimbledon champion Petra Steffi Graf and Anke Huber starred in the team which Germany are meeting for a 13th time with the Australians Kvitova and world number 26 Lucie Safarova lead the defeated Spain. currently holding an 8-4 advantage having also won the Czech challenge while Italy have recalled Sara Errani and “It’s a great opportunity for our team,” admitted most recent meeting two years ago in Stuttgart. Unlike Roberta Vinci, who skipped the quarter-final. In the World Australia captain Alicia Molik who has home advantage Germany and Australia who have struggled to make an Group play-offs, where a place in the elite section is on with the Saturday-Sunday tie being played in Brisbane. impact in the Fed Cup in recent years, the Czech Republic offer for 2015, the United States, without the Williams sis- “It’s time for us to make our little piece of history.” and Italy have been busily making the tournament a two- ters, host France in St Louis while Russia, minus Maria Australia cruised past an under-powered Russia to make nation affair. Sharapova, take on Argentina in Sochi at a venue used for the semi-finals and will again be looking to former US Italy were champions in 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2013 this year’s Winter Olympics. Slovakia face Canada in Open champion Samantha Stosur, the world number 19, while the Czechs took the title in 2011 and 2012. Russia, Quebec City while Poland, with world number three and Casey Dellacqua, the world 53, to see them through. with wins in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008, are the only other Agnieszka Radwanska in the mix, head to Barcelona to Teenagers Ashleigh Barty and Storm Sanders make up the nation to have captured the Fed Cup in the last decade. play Spain. — AFP Hopkins, 49, seeks win for the ageless WASHINGTON: Nine months shy of his 50th birthday, Bernard Hopkins will try to become the oldest boxer to unify world titles when he faces Kazakhstan’s Beibut Shumenov today. Hopkins, already the oldest fighter to win a world title, defends his International Boxing Federation light-heavyweight crown against the WASHINGTON: US boxers Shawn Porter (left) and Paulie Malignaggi 30-year-old World Boxing face off during a press conference in Washington ahead of their IBF Association champion. “This is a welterweight title fight today. — AFP defense of my legacy,” Hopkins said. “I don’t want anybody to take a BOXING piece of my legacy away. “Belts are nice. They are great for a younger Undefeated Porter, fighter. I’m defending something bigger than that. I’m defending my legacy. That’s more important than Malignaggi face off anything I can put around my waist.” Hopkins hopes to fight for an undis- WASHINGTON: Undefeated Shawn “A chance to win a third world WASHINGTON: IBF light heavyweight boxing champion Bernard Porter puts his International Boxing championship, to take a belt from a guy puted world title near his 50th birth- day against World Boxing Council Hopkins (left) and WBA and IBA light heavyweight boxing champion Federation world welterweight title on like that, it becomes a game not only of Beibut Shumenov, of Kazakhstan, pose face-to-face during a news con- the line against former world champion skill but of will,” Malignaggi said. “I will champion Adonis Stevenson, a ference in Washington. — AP Paulie Malignaggi in an all-American be a three-time world champion.” Haitian-born Canadian southpaw showdown today. It is on the undercard Porter, 23-0 with one draw and 14 who defends his crown May 17 ‘Ready to die for victory’ Philadelphia. “This is not a hobby. in Washington of the unification bout knockouts, won his first world title fight against Poland’s Andrzej Fonfara. Shumenov issued Hopkins a This is a bloodsport,” said Hopkins. between light heavyweight champions in December, taking a unanimous 12- But first, he must get past warning of his own. “You are mistak- “When you fight as a hobby, this Bernard Hopkins and Beibut Shumenov, round decision from compatriot Devon Shumenov, although Hopkins land- en if you think I think I’m fighting a isn’t a sport where you last too long. as is unbeaten Peter Quillin’s World Alexander for the IBF title on the same ed the first mental blows Thursday 50-year-old,” Shumenov said. “It’s I’m doing it because I had to. He’s Boxing Organization title defense card where Malignaggi beat Judah. in a final news conference after not the most important thing for doing it because he wants to.” against Czech Lukas Konecny. “We’re going to defend it with every- accepting a plaque from Joe me, the money. “I’m fighting for the Hopkins also taunted Malignaggi, 33, fighting outside his thing we have,” Porter said. “We’re Frazier’s family for helping fund a glory to be acknowledged as the Shumenov’s relative lack of experi- hometown of Brooklyn for the first time going to defend it with honor, with will statue of the late heavyweight leg- in two years, is confident of reclaiming and with skill. We have worked hard for best. I’m not seeking future fights. ence, the American having been a end. “Joe Frazier lives through me,” a world crown and dumping Porter, 26, this. We understand the position we are I’m ready to die to get the victory. pro boxer when the Kazak fighter from the ranks of the unbeaten. in and we’re excited.” Hopkins said. Hopkins then began “On Saturday night, we will see who was only five years old. “Get ready “We’re both very hungry,” Porter suffered the only blemish on his remarks by taking Shumenov’s is taking whose belts.” Hopkins, 54-6 for school, student,” Hopkins said. Malignaggi said. “I feel I’m the more tal- his record in a 10-round draw in 2012 title belt from him in front of his with two drawn and 32 knockouts, “I’m the professor and I’m going to ented fighter. I feel I’m the more intelli- with Julio Diaz but in a rematch Porter seated rival and moving it to his side said later he was happy to have teach you. ‘How can a 50-year-old gent fighter. I feel I’ve got more in my took a unanimous decision last of the podium. “Since we’re collect- annoyed Shumenov, 14-1 with nine man beat me like that?’ It’s not the back pocket.” Malignaggi, 33-5 with September, setting up his title bout ing good awards and achievements, knockouts. “The damage is done,” physical beat down. It’s the mental seven knockouts, owned the IBF light with Alexander. Quillan, 30-0 with 22 I had better take this now,” Hopkins he said. “When I started talking, he one.” Shumenov appeared unfazed welterweight crown in 2007 and 2008, knockouts, makes his third title defense said. It stayed there as Hopkins should have taken it back. It don’t by Hopkins and paid tribute to the twice beating Australian Lovemore against Konecny, 50-4 with 23 knock- made lengthy remarks and only matter what he says. Let’s see how legend, who has been winning Ndou for the title, and held the World outs. “It’s a test of maturity,” the 30- after the US legend was done talking he handles it. “I know he is coming fights for 25 years. “This is the kind Boxing Association version of the wel- year-old American said. “I want a com- did the usually softspoken to fight. He will bring out the best in of moment I have been dreaming of terweight crown for a year until losing it prehensive win.” Konecny, 35, suffered Shumenov rise to reach over to me.” Hopkins also dismissed all my life,” Shumenov said. “All the last June to countryman Adrien Broner. his only losses in the past eight years in reclaim his property. “I got him up. Shumenov as a rich guy fighting as a preparation has been done. I’m The “Magic Man” comes into his chal- his only two prior world title bouts, He’s got a pulse,” Hopkins said.