BOXING: The puzzling case of Wayne McCullough's boxing licence continues after the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) reiterated that he remains banned within their jurisdiction, reports Johnny Watterson.
Despite his successful return to the ring on January 12th in Las Vegas, where he knocked out Alvin Brown in the second round, McCullough is still unable to get a licence to box in his native Northern Ireland, England, Scotland or Wales.
The BBBC are sticking to their decision made 16 months ago despite the fact that a battery of experts, including the BBBC's own doctor, Peter Richards, have advised that the fighter faces no greater risk in the ring than any other boxer.
McCullough was discovered to have a cyst on his brain in October 2000, which caused the initial withdrawal of his licence by the BBBC before a scheduled fight in Belfast. Since then several highly-regarded neurosurgeons, including the Boxing Union of Ireland doctor Professor Jack Phillips, have said McCullough is healthy enough to continue boxing.
But the secretary of the BBBC, Simon Block, says McCullough will not be allowed box in Britain.
"The fact that Wayne has boxed is not a consideration because A: we know he is healthy, and B: we know he's a great fighter. We are not turning Wayne down because he is not competent to be a professional fighter, we did so because he has a physical condition," he told the boxing website secondsout.com. Block was yesterday unavailable for comment at his London office.
McCullough is incensed at the decision, which he says prevents him from fighting in Belfast, where he would be an enormous draw.
"The BBBC are preventing me from earning a living. They are stopping me from boxing in my hometown of Belfast. Even one of their own doctors, Peter Richards, has cleared me to fight. I've also been to the top doctors in UCLA, California and in Dublin. What more do they want?" he asked.
Professor Richards' report states: "I would consider, with a cyst of this size, that Wayne McCullough is not at any greater risk of an intracranial haemorrhage than any other boxer and would have no concerns about allowing him to continue with his boxing career."
"At face value it is a baffling decision. However, the BBBC may have information of a private nature which other bodies such as the Boxing Union of Ireland are not privy to," said Mel Christle, the president of the BUI.
CRICKET: England overcame early fielding lapses to post an exciting 16-run victory over India in the second one-day international in Uttack yesterday. The tourists fielded brilliantly after two dropped catches to defend 250-7 on a batting wicket, effecting three crucial run-outs to stop India at 234 and square the six-match series 1-1.
A lucky breakthrough paved the way for England's win. Sachin Tendulkar was run out backing up when bowler Ben Hollioake tried to stop a Dinesh Mongia drive and the ball deflected on to the stumps.
Details in SPORTS ROUND-UP
GOLF: Colin Montgomerie arrived in Perth from China, where he is designing a golf course, but will be aiming to show at the Johnnie Walker Classic this week that even at 38 he is still first and foremost a golf player. It will be his first tournament of the year.
The Scotsman has had a hand in designing courses in Malaysia and Dubai and China, and under construction are layouts in South Korea, Bali, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Lanzarote and Dublin.
Also making his debut for the year this week is Lee Westwood, while Justin Rose looks to follow up his maiden victory in South Africa against a field which includes Ernie Els and Retief Goosen and Sergio Garcia, recent winner of the Mercedes Championship in Hawaii.
FORMULA ONE: Jordan rushed their new EJ12 car straight from factory to test track on Monday at Silverstone, with Japan's Takuma Sato given first go at the wheel. Sato makes his grand prix debut in Australia on March 3rd.
Team sources said they were pleased with the tests.
