THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2017 SPORTS

Atletico secure Vitolo Rider quits Tour, Sadio Mane to miss deal despite FIFA ban team makes him race Liverpool’s HK trip

EYMET: Costa Rican Andrey Amador decided to quit the Tour de LONDON: Senegalese star Sadio Mane will miss Liverpool’s pre-season MADRID: Atletico Madrid said yesterday they had signed Spanish interna- France in the early hours of yesterday morning, only to be “con- tournament in Hong Kong as he continues his recovery from a knee tional Victor Machin Perez, known as ‘Vitolo’, from Sevilla but immediately vinced” hours later by his Movistar team to continue. The 30-year- injury, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp said yesterday. The 25-year-old for- loaned him to Las Palmas to comply with a FIFA recruitment ban. “Atletico old team-mate of Tour contender Nairo Quintana took to social ward, who scored 13 Premier League goals for Liverpool last season de Madrid has reached an agreement with VÌctor MachÌn Perez, Vitolo, for media in the night to announce he would be pulling out of the race, after joining from Southampton, is making good progress the next five years after the football player rescinded his con- but it seems his team hadn’t been consulted. “Tomorrow I’m putting but has yet to resume full training. Mane suffered the tract with Sevilla,” Atletico said on their website. The 27-year- an end to bearing this pain. Go on lads,” he wrote on Twitter, refer- knee injury in the Merseyside derby with Everton on old winner of three Europa Leagues and 11 international ring to the pain he’s been suffering in his knee since crashing on the April 1 and subsequently underwent surgery. “He is caps will initially join Las Palmas on loan until January 1, second stage more than a week ago. “It’s difficult but we’re leaving really, really good. He is close; he is closing on com- 2018, when Atletico’s recruitment ban expires. The ban was the Tour with a knee problem,” he’d added on Instagram. But he ing back to team training,” Klopp told imposed after the club had broken strict rules on the hadn’t told his team, who were stunned to discover the news, yet liverpoolfc.com. “In this moment we think it will be recruitment of youth players. Sevilla president Jose Castro little willing to accept it. “I was also surprised to learn he was quit- when we are in Asia, so then it makes no sense to had said on Monday he had offered the player a new five- ting,” Movistar’s sports director Jose Luis Arrieta told AFP. “Andrey take him to Asia because he needs to then do the year deal at the club as the struggle for the gifted mid- had said he was overcoming the pain, but he couldn’t and that he’d first steps in kind of team training. “We will see how fielder’s services heated up. But Spanish sports daily woken up due to the fierce pain in his knee. “It might have been bad we can do it; maybe the U23s will be here, so when he Marca reported that Atletico has now met the posture, but then with treatment from the physios and the can start (training) then we can use this opportunity, but Sevilla release clause for Vitolo of 37.5 million osteopath, he’s feeling better and is going to see if things return to we have to wait. “On Tuesday morning he was part euros ($43 million) and that the player passed normal during the stage.” Arriesta insisted that “it wasn’t difficult to of the running, so he is first-team training if you his medical yesterday. — AFP convince him” to carry on. —AFP want and that looked really good. —AFP

RUGBY Record-breaker McGuire bids to leave Leeds on a high

LEEDS: Danny McGuire is determined to Monday, but the biggest games are further leave Leeds Rhinos on a high after the down the table as Warrington look to stay Super League all-time leading try-scorer in the race for the Super 8s. They travel to announced he would be moving at the end Wigan on Thursday knowing only a win will of the season. The 34-year-old, who has keep them in the hunt, but even that will scored 233 tries in Super League, has been likely not be enough as Huddersfield can at Leeds since 2002 and was contracted book their place in the top eight with a win through to the 2018 season, but instead over bottom side Leigh tomorrw. The will call time on his association with the Wolves, who should have Ben Currie back club a year early. McGuire will not retire for the first time in ten months after he tore however, although his next destination is his ACL, will bid farewell to forward Andre not yet known. Savelio at the end of the season. For now his focus is on helping Leeds to Savelio is heading to the NRL to play for silverware in both Super League and the the Broncos next season under Challenge Cup, with the Rhinos taking on England coach Wayne Bennett. “I have spo- Hull tomorrw in the former. “I am pleased ken to Brisbane a few times and thought to have made the decision now so I can now was the time as I feel ready to do it,” focus on the remainder of this season and Savelio said. “A lot of English forwards have finishing my time at the Rhinos in the best done well in the NRL, so it was always possible way,” said McGuire. something I had thought about.” “I will take time now to look at my Widnes, who host Wakefield on Friday, options moving forward. I am in no rush to have also enjoyed a good week, signing make definite plans about next season and Rangi Chase on a permanent deal while beyond. “I am not ready to say my good- also extending Chris Houston’s contract for byes just yet, we are currently second in the a further season. “I am pleased to have league and in the Challenge Cup semi-final renewed my contract with the Vikings for and that is where my attention is focused the third season,” said Houston. now.” The top four teams in Super League “Although we have had a tough year, I face off this weekend, with leaders am confident that we will be able to per- Castleford hosting Salford Red Devils-who form at a high standard for the remainder confirmed the signing of Manu Vatuvei on of season and finish the year well. — AFP LAS VEGAS: Floyd Mayweather Jr (L) faces off for the first time with UFC fighter Conor McGregor during a press call at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday. The two will fight August 26th in Las Vegas, Nevada. — AFP

Pacquiao ‘not surprised’ BOXING by fight review result MANILA: is “not sur- man Abraham Kahlil Mitra. “The judges’ Mayweather to quit for prised” the World Boxing Organization scores would have greatly changed if the affirmed the loss of his title to referee did his job properly,” Mitra alleged. Australian Jeff Horn, but the Philippine ring “He (referee) didn’t give Senator Manny legend railed at large at judges who Pacquiao the respect and fair protection good after McGregor bout “manipulated results”. The WBO ordered a that is due to a people’s champ,” Mitra said, review of the scoring of the July 2 Brisbane referring to Pacquiao’s elected post as a Floyd Mayweather has vowed “I spoke to Al and told him. Today we had a professional fighter,” Mayweather said of his bout at the request of the Philippines’ Philippine senator. LOS ANGELES: to quit boxing once and for all after he emerges meeting,” Mayweather said. “I can’t push my lightly-regarded opponent. “He’s a stand-up Games and Amusements Board, which criti- Horn, a former schoolteacher written off from retirement for next month’s cross-combat body, it’s gruelling. Training camp is gruelling. I fighter. He never took a loss fighting straight cised the judges and the referee. before the bout by most observers, wel- showdown with Conor McGregor. The 40-year- can’t do it any more. Training camp is rough. It up. I can’t overlook that, because one shot can The WBO set up a panel of independent comed on Tuesday the ruling as “evidence” old former welterweight king, who retired with has to be my last one. “After taking a couple of end your whole career. He’s a tough competi- and anonymous judges to watch and score of his victory. “It’s definitely nice to have it a perfect 49-0 record in 2015, said Tuesday years off I was okay. But then we ended up tor but it is what it is.” Mayweather forged his a recording of the bout without sound. On finally put on paper,” said Horn, who had there was no chance of him fighting again after somehow making this fight happen. “Now I 49-0 record on the back of phenomenal speed Tuesday it said the judges found Horn won been keen for a rematch. he climbs into the ring with mixed martial arts really know that this is it. Deep in my heart I and defensive reflexes, often being criticised seven rounds to Pacquiao’s five. “We have In the twilight of a 22-year pro career, star McGregor. The two men are to face each know this is it.” for his unwillingness to go to toe-to-toe with seen worse Judgments in the past where Pacquiao had initially called for a Horn other at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena on August opponents. judges manipulated results. rematch, but later said he would also “think 26 in what could become the richest bout in Another boxing masterclass could well be in Nothing surprises me now,” Pacquiao hard” about retiring. Pacquiao briefly quit ‘TOUGH COMPETITOR’ boxing history. Mayweather, who has already The build-up to Tuesday’s event saw store for McGregor, but Mayweather is unfazed said in a statement late Tuesday. He did boxing last year to pursue his long-held made an estimated $700 million during his Mayweather face headlines that he has filed for by the possibility that the Irish brawler may not name the judges nor mention the spe- political ambitions and was elected sena- two-decade career, is set for another eye-water- an extension to pay his 2015 tax bill. However deploy mixed martial arts tactics if he struggles cific fights in his allegations. “Let the people tor. But he quickly made a successful come- ing payday against brash UFC star McGregor. he brushed off questions about his finances to lay a glove on the American. “That’s the ref- judge for themselves. People saw what back against Jessie Vargas in November, But irrespective of the result next month, when asked. “We ain’t trippin’ on that,” he eree’s job,” Mayweather said. “My job is to go happened,” said the 38-year-old, who had saying he still felt like a youngster. Mayweather says he has already decided it will responded. For boxing purists, Mayweather out there and be a boxer, be a fighter. I’m pretty won world titles in an unprecedented eight Pacquiao’s loss to Horn had prompted calls be his last fight. “I’m not the same fighter I was risks blemishing an otherwise perfect record sure the referee’s going to be fair and fun. weight divisions. urging him to retire for good. Pacquiao 21 years ago. I’m not the same fighter I was 10 with a tawdry final episode that has been dis- “I’ll leave all that up to the referee. My job is The undefeated but unheralded Horn, also issued a separate statement yesterday years ago. I’m not even the same fighter I was paraged as a cynical circus-like stunt. to go out there and fight against the guy that’s 29, had stunned the Filipino legend with denying news reports that he had failed to two years ago,” Mayweather told reporters at Mayweather however waved away suggestions across from me. “The fans demanded the fight. his ultra-aggressiveness to earn a unani- pay his US trainer Freddie Roach. “I have no the Staples Center. Mayweather said he had that if he was to win, and retire with a 50-0 McGregor wanted this fight, I wanted this fight. mous decision. But the Filipino’s camp problem with coach Freddie Roach. I’m not discussed his plans to quit for good at a meet- record, there would be an asterisk against his August 26, it’s going to be blood sweat and alleged the referee let get the one paying him, it’s ,” ing with advisor Al Haymon earlier Tuesday. last fight. “The last time I checked he’s still a tears from the opening bell.” — AFP away with illegal tactics. Pacquiao said, adding that he was also The WBO ordered the review while waiting to be paid by the owner of US fight stressing it did not have the power to promotions firm . “The trainer’s reverse a decision unless fraud or legal vio- fee is automatically deducted by the Top lations were proven. Pacquiao had Rank from my purse. So if coach Freddie master NSW to retain Origin series endorsed the call for a review issued by the has not yet received his payment, we are Filipino sports regulator, which lashed out on the same boat,” Pacquiao said. BRISBANE: Winger Valentine Holmes scored a Michael Morgan. Cronk had a try disallowed when he took the wrong option and Holmes was at the “unfair decision and officiating” of Press reports on Tuesday quoted Roach hat-trick of tries as Queensland dominated New when Brett Morris dislodged the ball from his denied a first-half hat-trick of tries. The Blues the fight. In a statement sent to AFP yester- as saying that he had not spoken to his South Wales to win ’s State of Origin grasp as he dived for the try-line. Cronk set up pulled back to trail by six points when Josh day, the Filipino regulator thanked the boxer since the Horn defeat, and that he rugby league series decider 22-6 in Brisbane yes- Holmes’s second try with a pinpoint flat kick to Dugan plucked a high kick out of the air early in WBO for looking into the fight but blamed had not been paid for the fight. “Not true,” a terday. The Maroons fought back from losing the the left wing and an unguarded Holmes to score the second half. But it proved a false dawn with American referee Mark Nelson for the member of Pacquiao’s team told AFP yes- opening game of the series 28-4 to master the after 26 minutes. the Maroons wrapping it up with two more tries results. “No matter what review they do, it terday when asked if the boxer was avoid- Blues four tries to one for their 11th win in the The Maroons should have scored again near- to Holmes and prop Jarrod Wallace, with will be hard to change the result as the ref- ing Roach, adding Pacquiao was “surprised last 12 interstate series. It was a spirited perform- ing half-time after replacement forward Tim Munster having a hand in both tries. eree didn’t call it close,” said board chair- why such kind of news came out”. —AFP ance from Queensland, who once again proved Glasby took play inside the Blues quarter with Man of the match Smith led the Maroons superior over NSW despite missing injured Test the defence back-pedalling. magnificently and was a danger with his darts stars Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott But Smith missed a try-scoring opportunity from dummy half. —AFP and Darius Boyd. But in their absence a new breed stepped up with winger Dane Gagai named man of the series and debutant Cameron Munster ably deputising for Thurston at stand-off in the final game. In an emotional aftermath to the victory Thurston, who injured his shoulder in the sec- ond game and kicked the winning goal in the final minute, lifted the Origin shield with skipper Cameron Smith on the winners’ dias. “That’s a pretty big win for Queensland, we’ve had so many injuries, not just coming into the series but during it... gee, that was one helluva game,” Queensland fullback Billy Slater said. The Maroons were carried to victory by the Storm club ‘spine’ of Smith at hooker along with his fellow Storm teammates Cooper Cronk at scrum-half, Munster at stand-off and Slater at fullback along with Will Chambers in the centres. BRISBANE: This file photo taken on July 2, 2017 shows Manny Pacquiao of the Queensland took charge in the first half and Philippines (R) fighting Jeff Horn of Australia during their World Boxing could have been more than 12-0 ahead at half- Organization boxing bout at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Manny Pacquiao is “not time. Winger Holmes scored both of the surprised” the World Boxing Organization affirmed the loss of his welterweight title Maroons tries, going over for his first in the 15th to Australian Jeff Horn, but the Philippine ring legend railed at large at judges who minute after strong work from Slater and “manipulated results”. — AFP Valentine Holmes