Nev. regulators approve replay for boxing, MMA

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Nevada could start using instant replay in boxing and mixed martial arts within a month to help referees review crucial or controversial moments at the end of fights.

The Nevada Athletic Commission approved limited use of the technology to help referees review hits that end fights, including knockouts and hits like low blows or head-butts if they cause the match to end because of injury.

Low blows, head-butts, rabbit punches and other illegal hits can disqualify fighters if referees say they were delivered on purpose, but if ruled accidental a winner is determined by judges’ scorecards.

Instant replay would be used at the sole discretion of referees to either confirm or overturn their initial calls, said Keith Kizer, the commission’s executive director.

“Just like in football, either the play stands, the play is reversed or if it’s inconclusive the play would stand,” Kizer said. “It’s done right then and there, but just like in football you can’t have instant replay once the next play happens.”

Kizer said corners and others could ask for a play to be reviewed but referees won’t be required to go to the monitors unless they feel it’s necessary.

The new rule could be in effect within 30 days, Kizer said. It awaits approval from the state’s Legislative Council Bureau and filing from the state librarian.

That means it’s possible that instant replay could be used during the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Juan Manuel Marquez fight Sept. 19 in Las Vegas.

Kizer said he thinks it’s unlikely, but not impossible, that instant replay could be expanded to other uses in boxing. He said that boxing and mixed martial arts don’t have the same natural breaks in action that other sports that use instant replay have.

“Because of the nature of the sport it’d be very difficult to use it in other situations,” he said.

Murali and Thushara hand Sri Lanka the advantage

Muttiah Muralitharan triggered a New Zealand collapse after lunch picking up three wickets to put Sri Lanka on top in the first Test in Galle © AFP

Siddle builds England rue missed opportunities

England's batsmen squandered a glorious opportunity to take control of the fifth and final Test at The Oval, as an Australian attack lacking the services of a specialist spinner overcame a dry, dusty and pace-free wicket to chisel out eight first-day wickets after losing an important toss. Ian Bell and Andrew Strauss contributed chalk-and-cheese half-centuries to a close-of-play total of 307 for 8, while Jonathan Trott marked his Test debut with a composed 41, but once again, no single batsman was able to make the day his own. And as a series century count of 7 to 1 in Australia's favour will testify, that has been the single biggest difference between the two sides.

Federer and Murray during in Cincinnati

World number one Roger Federer and protecting champion Andy Murray together all right reached the quarterfinals of the Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati on Thursday.
Federer had the tougher task, taken to three sets by David Ferrer of Spain before prevailing 3-6 6-4 6-3 in their third round match.
Murray, fresh from his victory in the Montreal Masters and up to number two in the world rankings, brushed aside Radek Stepanek 6-4 6-1.
He will next play Julien Benneteau of France, who saw off Guillermo Garcia Lopez of Spain in three hard fought sets.
The Scot is in tremendous form in the build up to the U.S. Open where Federer defends the title he won last year, beating Murray in the final.
"I need to keep this run going as long as possible," Murray told Sky Sports after his routine victory.

Bolt breaks 200 meters record to claim gold

Jamaican sprint superstar Usain Bolt claimed yet another world record as he recorded a stunning victory in the 200m final at the World Championships.
Bolt set a time of 19.19 seconds to demolish the previous record of 19.30 he set in winning Olympic gold last summer in Beijing.
The 22-year-old finished well clear of the field, with silver medallist Alonso Edward finishing in 19.81.
Wallace Spearmon of the United States took bronze.
Bolt, who also smashed the 100m record in Berlin on Sunday, is now the first man to hold the 100 and 200m world and Olympic titles at the same time.
After a nervy opening which saw Frenchman David Alerte false start, Bolt streaked off the blocks and took the lead within 20m.

He put on the afterburners around the bend to leave the chasing pack trailing in his wake and after storming over the line, Bolt glanced down to the electronic display and pointed at his historic time.
Earlier in the week Bolt had said he did not think a 200m record was on after missing a month of training earlier this year following a car crash in Jamaica.
And after the 200m Bolt told BBC Sport: "I can definitely say I didn't expect that because I was a little bit tired.
"I said let's try because people are really looking out for this, I said it won't hurt to try. So I tried really hard and now I'm really tired.
"Maybe next time I should just run the 200m or the 100m alone. My form was going backwards. I wasn't running upright. It wasn't a good race but it was a fast one."
Bolt, who completed his 200m win a day before his 23rd birthday, set three world records when winning his Olympic golds in Beijing last summer and his breathtaking performances in Berlin have enhanced his reputation as the best sprinter of all time.

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"I definitely showed people that my world records in Beijing were not a joke," he said.
And Bolt said he is closing in on his aim of becoming a sprinter the world will never forget.
"I keep telling you guys my aim is to become a legend," he added. "I don't think about records. I don't put myself under pressure. I know what to do and I go and execute.
"I did well for myself and I am on my way to becoming a legend so I am just happy."
America's Shawn Crawford, who finished fourth, admitted he was left in awe by Bolt's display.
"Just coming out there, I'm just waiting for the lights to flash 'game over,' because I felt like I was in a video game," said Crawford. "That guy was moving - fast."