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Monday 20 February 2012

The good, the bad and the ugly: a week of sporting contrast...


After a week that had done much to show the positives of our nation, it was shameful to see two boxers disgrace themselves so appallingly in Berlin.

With tripod swinging and bottle smashing to add to his gang-rape, severed heads and toe breaking related misdemeanors, David Haye is an idiot who should no longer be taken seriously.

Derek Chisora is even worse. Planned or not, the weigh in slap was shocking and more akin to a street fighting gangster than a patriot.  

The water-spitting incident was repulsive, and in the press conference whatever Haye’s role, it was Chisora who instigated the ‘brawl’ and repeatedly threatened to shoot and burn his rival.

And was he even joking?

The sad thing was that in the ring he had performed well, drawing boxing if not manly respect from the Klitschko’s as he displayed the durability of a future champion.

But with arrest and jail now a possibility, he may never get the chance, and would he deserve it?

His behaviour, that of an out of control lunatic, contrasted so sharply with the courteous, gentlemanly and intelligent conduct of the two Klitschko’s - true champions throughout.

A disgrace to his sport and country, Chisora would be more at home in the fake, soap-orientated world of WWE Wrestling.

Yet the weekend also illustrated what is good about British sport, as 32.754 seconds of Friday night team sprinting prowess, began 2012 Olympic fever five months early.

 Pendleton and Varnish's world record started the ‘cycle’, but Sir Chris Hoy followed suit, as the real McCoy found his best form since Beijing in taking two individual titles.

Up in Birmingham our much criticised track and field team were performing almost as well. British Records for Mo Farah and Shara Proctor, a world leading hurdles exhibition from Jess Ennis, and a host of other fine efforts from the likes of jumpers Bleasdale and Grabarz.

Both squads must and can find further improvement. But both are very much on track for 2012 and 4th place on the medals table is an impressively realistic aim.

Cricket has also mounted a notable recovery. Nothing should detract from the disappointment of the test series but the comeback has been strong.

The bowling and field restrictions limiting Pakistan’s spinners have been influential, but Cook and now Pietersen have shown that true class is permanent, while the form of speedster Steve Finn certainly merits test inclusion.

Football has endured a seemingly quieter week, but the return of Carlos “I was treated like a dog but on 250k a week’ Tevez has created further tension.

Financial woes affecting Rangers and Portsmouth are disturbing, while the ever-rising player versus coach row at Chelsea is threatening to erupt.

Chelsea have problems but the plight of London rivals Arsenal is even worse.

After their San Siro obliteration midweek, their tame 2-0 defeat at Sunderland was arguably even worse.
No trophies for another year, and while the fiscally prudent board must be blamed, the coach and players, some of whom are just not good enough, are also guilty.

Robin Van Persie is a man who carries 10 mugs but no cups, but will he or Arsene Wenger remain for next season?

In a Six-Nations rest week, Harlequins, Gloucester and Leicester enjoyed narrow Premiership wins, as Jim Mallinder and Wayne Smith were the latest names to rule themselves out in the battle for England coach.

A comeback win for Roger Federer in Rotterdam, and a 51 ball 117 for South African debutant Richard Levi were other highlights.

And ‘Linsanity’ is sweeping America after Taiwanese-born rookie Jeremy Lin appeared from nowhere to lead the New York Knicks towards the NBA title.

Lin is Basketball’s new star, but let’s hope the golden approach of Hoy is his destiny rather than the thuggish stupidity of Chisora...

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