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Champion Amir Khan now fit for purpose after living the dry life…

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Champion Khan now fit for purpose and ready to face Garcia after living the dry life

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UPDATED:

22:18 GMT, 12 July 2012

Water is a more precious commodity in
the desert than the world title which has rightly been restored to Amir
Khan and which he will carry proudly into the ring before his big fight
on Saturday night.

Yet even here in Nevada, as temperatures hit a record-breaking 115 degrees Fahrenheit, Khan wants less of it.

Much less.

Sound advice: Khan says he is fitter than ever after ditching Alex Arizas unusual methods and appointing Tavares (left)

Sound advice: Khan says he is fitter than ever after ditching Alex Arizas unusual methods and appointing Tavares (left)

As he primes himself for the draining attempt to unify the WBA title he has reclaimed from drug cheat Lamont Peterson with the WBC belt worn by unbeaten Danny Garcia, Khan is moderating his liquid intake and reducing his time in the pool to a minimum. And never mind that he has to get up to run at 4am to avoid dehydrating in the searing heat of daytime in Las Vegas.

A regime which entailed excessive swimming and the intake of gallons of water has been terminated by Khan's dismissal of the physical conditioner who imposed those unconventional practices.

Khan inherited Alex Ariza, who is Manny Pacquiao's fitness coach and nutritionist, when he joined the PacMan at master trainer Freddie Roach's Wild Card gym in Hollywood. Khan sacked Ariza when he took unauthorised time out from his training camp to pick up extra money moonlighting with Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr.

For the Briton, this has become a blessing in disguise.

Ariza's replacement Ruben Tavares, who worked previously with David Haye, has eradicated those extreme methods and our young man from Bolton could not be more delighted.

Rival: Danny Garcia

Rival: Danny Garcia

Not only that but he looks to be exactly what he tells us he feels: 'Fitter, healthier, fresher, sharper.'

He adds: 'All the swimming was too much. We still go into the pool for brief spells of resistance work but the continual lapping was wearing.'

Roach could not be more approving of the change: 'There is no correlation between swimming and boxing. In fact, it's detrimental.'

But it was the gulping down of water until his system was awash which most concerned Khan and those around him.

'I was drinking hundreds of bottles of water,' says Khan. 'I hated it. I felt sick from it and I didn't want to eat. I was bloated. Then in the nights before the weigh-in I got hardly any sleep because I had to keep getting up to go to the bathroom.

'I did it because I always do what our experts tell me but I was tired. I was also around 152lb, so I had to take off almost a stone in the last day before going to the scales.

Then I'd blow up again in the 24 hours up to the fight. It didn't work for me. Now I'm only drinking two litres of water a day. If you see the pictures taken then my body looked full. I had nothing like the muscular definition I have now.'

Boost: Khan has been reinstated as world champion

Boost: Khan has been reinstated as the WBA champion

Tavares, formerly a track-and-field athlete himself, was alarmed: 'The theory was to get Amir into the ring on the night as big and heavy as possible but he was taking on water to the point where his body was being flooded.'

The swimming pool was exhausting but this was the Drowning Pool.

The act of over-hydrating has been blamed for fatalities, particular among young people obsessed with dieting. In effect they have drowned.The water-bloating may also have been dulling the edge of Khan's most potent weapon – his speed – in recent fights.

That asset established him as the betting favourite on the Vegas Strip even before his confidence and motivation were boosted by his reinstatement as a world champion and the bonus of having The Ring magazine belt put on the line here.

That version of the title was declared vacant as the bible of boxing invoked a new policy removing from their rankings any fighter who tests positive for drugs.

I had the pleasure of telling Khan of these developments after Richard Schaefer, chief executive of Golden Boy promotions, received formal confirmation of the WBA's decision. He was thrilled.

Drugs cheat: Lamont Peterson (left)

Drugs cheat: Lamont Peterson (left)

The IBF are now alone in resisting stripping Peterson until he has presented his medical excuse for having a pellet full of steroids implanted in his hip before he was given a controversial hometown decision over Khan.

The other authorities involved are growing tired of waiting. Peterson has already missed two dates for a Nevada State Athletic Commission hearing.

Khan says: 'Things happen for a reason. If Peterson hadn't been caught I would have been fighting him as the challenger in a re-match for my belts. Now I am honoured to go back into the ring as the WBA champion.

'I have the chance I've always wanted to win a WBC belt – like all the top fighters such as Floyd Mayweather have done – plus I've also wanted to box for The Ring title. 'This is now my opportunity to wrap up this division and prove I'm the No 1 man at 140lb, before moving up to welterweight.'

First things first. Having reacted with excitement to becoming world champion again, Khan said: 'Now I must focus on Garcia.'

Sensible, for him to plant those quick feet firmly back on the ground before – as it is so pertinent to say at this moment – he tests the water of a higher division inhabited by Mayweather and Pacquiao, the two best pound-for-pound boxers in the world.

Hunter Mahan leads AT&T National at Congressional

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Mahan battles heat to lead after second round at Congressional

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UPDATED:

07:26 GMT, 30 June 2012

Hunter Mahan surged to the top of the AT&T National leaderboard with a six-under-par 65 which put him two strokes clear of the field at the halfway point in Maryland.

Mahan's round of seven birdies and a bogey on another stifling day at the Congressional course put him seven under overall, two clear of two fellow Americans, Jimmy Walker and Robert Garrigus, as well as Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge.

In the Hunt: Mahan hit a second-round 65

In the Hunt: Mahan hit a second-round 65

Behind them on four under was a group of five which included Stewart Cink and Vijay Singh, while Tiger Woods carded a much-improved 68 to sit ominously on two under alongside overnight leader Bo Van Pelt.

With temperatures reaching 109 degrees Fahrenheit, Mahan said mastering the conditions was key.

'When the conditions and the weather comes into play, it's a whole other factor,' he told www.pgatour.com.

'I've got to stay mentally tough. Once your mind goes, the body is going to go with it. It's very important to be mentally strong.

'We've got two more days of this, so it's going to be important to take care of yourself every night and every day when you're out on the golf course, or it's going to cost you shots.'

Woods sunk a 48-foot eagle putt on the 16th hole, helping him move into a tie for 11th.

Scorcher: Mahan and Co had to deal with sweltering conditions in Maryland

Scorcher: Mahan and Co had to deal with sweltering conditions in Maryland

Woods, starting five shots behind overnight leader Van Pelt, went three under par to reach a two-under total of 140.

Woods told www.pgatour.com: 'It's just one of those days where you just stay patient.

'You shoot something in the 60s, and I think that would have been a good score. I thought it was a very good score. I'm right there.'

Van Pelt hit a disappointing second round of 73, including six bogeys, while Glasgow's Martin Laird made a move with a fine two-under 69 to sit one under overall.

Defending champion Nick Watney was one behind Laird after going one over.

England's Greg Owen was four over for his round but made the cut on three over, the same mark as Beau Hossler, the 17-year-old amateur who made headlines at the US Open.

Euro 2012: Stormy weather unlikely for Ukraine v England

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Repeat of Donetsk storms unlikely as England prepare for Ukraine clash

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UPDATED:

11:22 GMT, 18 June 2012

A Ukrainian weather expert has quelled English fears of a repeat of the stunning summer storms that forced the temporary abandonment of France's match with the co-hosts on Friday.

The last match played in Donetsk was halted for almost an hour due to a thunderstorm and a huge downpour which drowned the pitch at the Donbass Arena.

Next up on Tuesday, Ukraine face England in the eastern city in a match both sides have to win to guarantee a place in the quarter-finals.

Dark clouds: Ukraine v France was halted in the midst of a spectacular storm

Dark clouds: Ukraine v France was halted in the midst of a spectacular storm

Dark clouds: Ukraine v France was halted in the midst of a spectacular storm

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Neither team has been allowed to train at the stadium ahead of the crunch clash to avoid doing any further damage to the pitch.

The storms hit shortly before kick off and despite starting the match, players were hauled off by referee Bjorn Kuipers within minutes.

Fork lightning lit up the night sky above the stadium as one stand was cleared as a security measure.

However, sections of Ukraine and France supporters revelled in the weather and danced in the stands despite being drenched while others rushed for cover.

Getting ready: Roy Hodgson's England play Ukraine on Tuesday in Donetsk

Getting ready: Roy Hodgson's England play Ukraine on Tuesday in Donetsk

Despite fears the game would get abandoned and rescheduled for Saturday, it was given the go-ahead to resume at 6pm as conditions appeared to ease.

And there appears to be no concern of a repeat this week.

'The situation in Donetsk is good, unlike the last match,' said Mykola Kulbida, head of the Ukrainian meteorological centre. 'Temperatures will not be too high – about 25-27 degrees centigrade and then falling.'

For Sweden's game with France at the same time in the capital Kiev the same night, Kulbida foresaw a little rain and thunder but said this would be over before the match starts.

Jose Mourinho: Real Madrid to turn up the heat at CSKA Moscow

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Madrid ready to turn up the heat to avoid defeat in freezing Moscow, says Mourinho

Jose Mourinho admits Real Madrid will face a huge Champions League test against CSKA Moscow in sub-zero temperatures on the Luzhniki stadium's artificial pitch.

Madrid head into the last-16 match on Tuesday after winning all six of their group games in the competition and also in fine form domestically, having won 18 of the last 19 matches to lead Barcelona by 10 points in the table.

For CSKA, the first-leg match will almost be a season-opener as the Russian league is on a winter break until mid-March.

Feeling chilly Cristiano Ronaldo (left), Fabio Coentrao (centre) and Pepe (right) warm up in Moscow on Monday

Feeling chilly Cristiano Ronaldo (left), Fabio Coentrao (centre) and Pepe (right) warm up in Moscow on Monday

Tough week ahead: Jose Mourinho will take his Real Madrid side to Moscow

Tough week ahead: Jose Mourinho takes his Real Madrid side to Moscow in the Champions League last 16

While Madrid are in fine form with Kaka, Marcelo and Sami Khedira all returning to the lineup for Saturday's 4-0 rout of Racing Santander, Angel di Maria's return was bittersweet after the Argentina international appeared to aggravate a right leg muscle injury as the match ended.

Full-back Alvaro Arbeloa returns to the squad while striker Gonzalo Higuain is also available.

'We need to now focus on the match against CSKA. Everyone's happy (with our play), we have two days to recover now and we're a happy group,' Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said.

'We've got a long trip ahead … but our motivation is high even though we know it won't be easy in Moscow.'

Though it's getting warmer in the Russian capital, the temperatures are expected to range between minus 8 degrees (17.6 degrees Fahrenheit) and minus 10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit).

'The ball resembles a piece of plastic when it freezes,' CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky said. 'A stone. It's painful to catch or block it. And it doesn't bounce high from the pitch.'

Madrid playmaker Kaka said the cold would be a negative factor for both teams.

Perfect record: Madrid won all of their games in the group stage at the end of last year

Perfect record: Madrid won all of their games in the group stage at the end of last year

'We have to prepare well and play a phenomenal match,' Kaka said.

Xabi Alonso said: 'Now we return to a competition that is very important for us.

'We all know what we're playing for and it's fundamental to get a good result away from home.'

CSKA have sold star Brazilian playmaker Wagner Love to Flamengo, but have signed 22-year-old South Korean midfielder Kim In-sung from Gangneung.

Sweden midfielder Pontus Wernbloom has joined from AZ Alkmaar in a four-and-a-half-year deal, becoming the Russian side's second January buy after forward Ahmed Musa, who arrived from another Dutch club, VVV Venlo.

'You never know for sure when it comes to new signings,' Slutsky said. 'Only competitive games can prove it was a right deal.'

The home side is meanwhile still without injured first-choice goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev and Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda.

Head boy: Cristiano Ronaldo helped his side beat Racing Santander on Saturday

Head boy: Cristiano Ronaldo helped his side beat Racing Santander on Saturday

Flying high: Madrid are a whopping 10 points clear of Barcelona in La Liga

Flying high: Madrid are a whopping 10 points clear of Barcelona in La Liga

'Much will depend on the beginning of the match,' Slutsky said of his team's chances. 'If we are able to be on equal terms from the very first minute, then we might have chances, otherwise it will be tough.'

Slutsky is bracing for a game in which his side is expected to come under immense pressure from the nine-time European champions.

'CSKA has proved that we can play successfully against key teams but we have never faced such a strong test before,' he said. 'Even Mourinho's Inter, which won the Champions League was weaker then Real today.'

Summing up things from CSKA's point of view, Slutsky said: 'We have a plan for the game and will hope our opponent will not play at its best.'

SIX NATIONS 2012: France v Ireland pitch inspection

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Doubts persist over Ireland's clash in Paris with second pitch inspection planned

Ireland's RBS 6 Nations clash with France on Saturday will undergo a pitch inspection 90 minutes before kick-off.

Referee Dave Pearson gave the surface the all-clear on Friday afternoon but will conduct a further examination with temperatures forecast to drop to minus seven this evening.

The Stade de France pitch, which lacks under-soil heating, has been maintained at three degrees under covers, which are due to be removed around 6.15pm (GMT) ahead of the 8pm kick-off.

Tough task: Ireland prepare for their match against France in Paris

Tough task: Ireland prepare for their match against France in Paris

It is feared the temperature could drop as low as minus 10, but a Six Nations spokesman has stated that the match is not under threat at this stage.

France winger Vincent Clerc declared earlier in the week there is 'reason for concern' over the pitch, claiming sections near the touchline were frozen during last Saturday's victory over Italy.

If as expected the game goes ahead, Ireland will be hoping to register only their second victory in Paris in 40 years, thrusting themselves back into the Six Nations title frame in the process.

They have failed to beat France in four meetings since their Grand Slam-winning year of 2009, which was also the only time they have won in the past 12 encounters.

Lions No 8 Jamie Heaslip admits Ireland must produce a special performance if they are to prevail in the French capital.

Inspection: The pitch will be checked before kick-off on Saturday

Inspection: The pitch will be checked before kick-off on Saturday

'We're expecting a tough old game. I've played against them several times now and it never gets any easier,' he said.

'It doesn't matter where you play France, they are going to be good.

'They beat us three times last year, twice at home. They're hard team to beat, regardless of where you play them.

'They got to the World Cup final and you don't do that by chance.

'We never sit back against them and that's why the games always turn out to be pretty exciting.

'They're a hard team to chase, but we've gone close in the past. They punish you when you make mistakes.

'You have to cut out the mistakes and do your job to the best of your ability.

'It's pretty simple when you break it down, but it's easier to say than do it.'

Sir Alex Ferguson and Rory McIlroy honoured by University of Ulster

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New 'Doctors' Ferguson and McIlroy honoured for services to sport

US Open champion Rory McIlroy and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will receive honorary degrees from the University of Ulster.

The degrees will be conferred during summer and winter graduation ceremonies.

The university said: 'Rory McIlroy has quickly established himself as a major force in international golf as a Major winner and Ryder Cup hero.'

Rory McIlroy

Sir Alex Ferguson

Honoured: Rory McIllroy and Sir Alex Ferguson will become Doctors of Science

McIlroy is the youngest winner of the US Open for almost 90 years and will be awarded a Doctor of Science degree for his contribution to golf.

He follows in the footsteps of compatriots Graeme McDowell, who received an honorary degree last year after capturing the 2010 US Open, and Darren Clarke, honoured by the university in 2002.

Ferguson is being recognised with a Doctor of Science degree for his services to football, enjoying success with United and Aberdeen.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2012: Ivan Lendl takes heat off Andy Murray

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Ice-cool Ivan takes the heat off Murray as world No 4 prepares for second-round French test

Ivan Lendl may not know too much about Andy Murray's opponent in the second round of the Australian Open, but he is probably quite knowledgeable about his father.

Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin is the world No 101 and Lendl twice played against his pere, Christophe, who was once good enough to have reached the semi-finals of Roland Garros, in 1983.

Net gains: British No 1 Murray is bidding to win his first grand slam

Net gains: British No 1 Murray is bidding to win his first grand slam

But then, as Murray's new coach has conceded, an immediate knowledge of all modern players is not the reason he has been hired.

The idea is more to bring gravitas and almost unparalleled nous about how to win the big tournaments into the camp.

Lendl was seated, stony-faced, in his support box for the first time at a Grand Slam on Monday, and there was some indication that he is already having an effect in the calm way Murray responded to an opening onslaught to tame gifted American teenager Ryan Harrison.

Phone a friend: Judy Murray speaks to her son's new coach Ivan Lendl

Phone a friend: Judy Murray speaks to her son's new coach Ivan Lendl

There is a good chance the 24-year-old Scot would have worn down the young Roscoe Tanner lookalike anyway after losing the first set in brutal temperatures that never dipped below 30 degrees Celsius.

But Murray set about his business admirably and refused to get rattled, knowing there was someone in his corner who has suffered onslaughts from young tyros at the highest level countless times and lived to tell the tale.

'He (Lendl) didn't look like he was panicking at any stage, which was a good sign because it was a big match for both of us,' said Murray after a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory that took three-and-a quarter hours.

Lets' go, Andy: Murray receives support from the crowd Down Under

Lets' go, Andy: Murray receives support from the crowd Down Under

'He is a bit poker-faced and didn't do too much in the match, it's important the player trusts the coach and the coach trusts the player.

'It's good to have someone there who understands how you might be feeling at the start of the Grand Slam, playing against someone you haven't faced, in difficult conditions.

'A person without that experience might be like, “What the hell were you doing in the first set, those first six or seven games” He understands the feelings you go through.'

While Lendl was emotionless in the box, doing little but make the odd aside to Murray's ever-present friend and hitting partner Dani Vallverdu, it was interesting to note that the whole team, from mother Judy downwards, were slightly more subdued than normal, as if they were taking their cue.

Are you sitting comfortably Murray's camp appeared less animated than usual

Are you sitting comfortably Murray's camp appeared less animated than usual

In return they did not get shouted at, even when there was serious pressure on at the start of the second set. The limited haranguing Murray got into was either at himself or his footwear, which occasionally got stuck in the burning hard-court surface.

Ultimately, though, it is always the player who plays the points, and there was nothing massively new about his actual game. It was the ability to cut out his first-set errors and wear out the Texan that brought victory.

Life of Ryan: Harrison started strongly against the Scot

Life of Ryan: Harrison started strongly against the Scot

Away from the court, the No 4 seed has been delighted with the way Lendl and his somewhat slapstick sense of humour have gelled with the team.

'He is a funny guy, and everyone is joking around, it's important everyone is happy around him,' said Murray.

His reward is a more comfortable-looking tie against a 28-year-old French journeyman who has strong English connections.

His grandmother is English, his father was brought up in London until he was 15 and he has spent plenty of time there.

'I love a lot of things English, like bread sauce, and I've spent a lot of time there,' he said after going through when his first-round opponent, Xavier Malisse, defaulted with an arm injury.

'The French guys have asked me why I don't play in the Davis Cup for Britain but it wouldn't be right, I'm a Frenchman.'

Murray will be pleased about that because he has a remarkable record against those from across the Channel.

Since losing to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga here four years ago he has won 36 out of 37 matches against French players with only Gael Monfils, whom he is due to play in this year's fourth round, having beaten him.

The British No 1 thought about learning their language, but instead has been trying to master Spanish: 'I got one of those Rosetta Stone courses last month and did it religiously for five or six days but it went pear-shaped because I'd be doing it at night when my girlfriend was sleeping. I'd be on the computer speaking Spanish to it and she'd be saying, “Just turn that thing off!”, so I'm blaming her.'

Novak Djokovic made an electric start to his title defence, beating Italy's Paolo Lorenzi 6-2, 6-0, 6-0 in just 92 minutes.