Anthony Crolla's second defence of his WBA lightweight title ended in a unanimous decision defeat as he was convincingly outboxed by classy Venezuelan Jorge Linares in Manchester last night.

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao may be moving closer to agreeing terms for a long-awaited bout.

Steven Gerrard’s forthcoming move to LA Galaxy means he will fail to join an illustrious band of professional footballers who have spent their entire senior careers at one club.

West Ham 0 Man United 2

Graeme McDowell might have disappointed in the 2013 majors but three wins worldwide is a pretty good return in anyone’s book and if you’re wondering what the future holds, just ask his caddie Ken Comboy.

HAVING to travel to the coldest, furthest reach of the house to watch Freeview TV has been one of our oldest family traditions.

Leeds have completed the permanent signing of midfielder Michael Tonge from Stoke for an undisclosed fee.

Ricky Hatton’s decision to resume boxing will be greeted by a mixed reaction when it is officially announced this morning.

Michelle Collins’ ‘Coronation Street’ character is set to become the landlady of the Rover’s Return.

Wes Brown is eager to make the most of his Manchester United opportunities before his advancing years catch up with him.

ALEX FERGUSON claims Manchester City will keep on spending until they have won something and admits Roberto Mancini’s side are genuine title contenders.

Ricky Hatton has again poured cold water on reports he has decided to retire from fighting.

WHEN my slightly tarnished yet still bafflingly beloved Reds aren’t playing, I’ll often watch another match instead.

Wes Brown has no intention of quitting Manchester United even though he has once again be reduced to the role of stand-in.

Morrissey has made a triumphant return to the stage making light of his collapse at his last gig.

Ricky Hatton’s reign as light-welterweight world champion was brought to a brutal end on Sunday morning as Manny Pacquiao delivered a stunning second round knockout.

Ricky Hatton believes he is “the best he has ever been” heading into Saturday’s showdown with Manny Pacquiao.

BRING back hanging. I don’t care if he is our best player. Requesting a Phil Collins record surely deserves a much stiffer penalty.

RICKY HATTON insists recognition is more important than alphabet titles after shrugging off the fact Saturday’s showdown with Paulie Malignaggi will not be for the IBF light-welterweight belt.

ONE of Sir Alex’s favourite deflection-mode gripes, which he tends to wheel out when we have just lost, is that the fixture list is somehow mysteriously nobbled against us every year.

RICKY HATTON has vowed to produce a more “refined” performance against Paulie Malignaggi after teaming up with new trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr — but promised his fans he will still treat them to some typical “crash, bang, wallop” excitement.

THERE are only so many times you can breath a sigh of relief before you begin to hyperventilate.

Morrissey’s song lyrics are to be used to teach students about business, an academic said today.

Ricky Hatton’s trainer Billy Graham has rubbished claims the duo could be set to end their partnership.

SOMEONE’S ‘0’ had to go when the undefeated Floyd Mayweather and Ricky Hatton went toe-to-toe but both victor and vanquished now face tough decisions about their futures, career choices that will have a knock-on effect for some of boxing’s biggest names.

WHEN the end came, his undefeated status removed, Ricky Hatton met his fate with the same wit that had carried him through 14 weeks gruelling weeks of preparation, trash talking and media exposure.

SUCH is the growing belief in the Ricky Hatton camp that it is not Floyd Mayweather that concerns them most about tonight’s greatly anticipated welterweight showdown, but their man’s susceptibility to cuts.

RICKY HATTON fights tomorrow night in Las Vegas, where he takes on Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand for the WBC world welterweight title. Enjoy some chips and curry if you watch the fight, and toast the men you’re watching.

UNDISPUTED welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr brushed aside Ricky Hatton’s calls for respect ahead of the December 8 showdown between the undefeated boxers and warned the Englishman, “we’re at war”.

Ricky Hatton is “chomping at the bit” to begin negotiations over a superfight with Floyd Mayweather, according to his father Ray.

Ricky Hatton reclaimed his old IBF light-welterweight title with a gruelling points victory over previously unbeaten Colombian Juan Urango at the Paris Casino in Las Vegas.

Lisa tonight became the fifth contestant to be evicted from the Big Brother house.

Ricky Hatton was crowned a two-weight world champion in Boston after battling through the toughest night of his career to beat WBA welterweight king Luis Collazo on points.

Wes Brown is convinced the extra competition for defensive slots at Manchester United has fuelled the Red Devils’ impressive late charge.

X Factor victor Shayne Ward stepped into 2006 with a happy glow after remaining on top in the singles charts.

X Factor victor Shayne Ward has continued his winning streak – and scooped the coveted Christmas number one spot in the UK charts.

An unknown folk-pop duo shot to top spot in the UK singles chart with a song about a JCB digger.

Heart-throb Shayne Ward could be heading towards a Christmas number one after millions voted him the winner of ITV1’s talent show The X Factor.

Alex Ferguson is convinced the intensity of a high-octane Manchester derby will be enough to rescue Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand from their England agony.

Oasis songwriter Noel Gallagher today accepted that even rock and roll stars cannot live forever.