HOPES grew last night for the release of two French journalists held hostage in Iraq, with France’s foreign minister saying he had received word that they were alive.

BARRY HEARN believes Brian Magee has proved he is on course to take on the best in the world.

Brian Magee is expecting one of the hardest nights of his career on Saturday night when he defends his IBO super-middleweight title against Hacine Cherifi at Belfast’s King’s Hall.

Felix Trinidad is quitting professional boxing.