Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/433160
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2014 Sport 57 BOXING RUGBY SAILING Floyd Mayweather wants to take on Manny Pacquiao in 2015 FLOYD May weather has publicly said he is willing to take on Man- ny Pacquiao in the ring next year. The unbeaten American says he is ready to reach out to his oppo- nent's people by holding the fight, which is expected to be the rich- est in boxing history. The fight is expected to take place on May 2, 2015. May weather 37, and Pacquiao, 35, the Filipino star who claimed an impressive win over Chris Al- gieri last month, have now been distant rivals for a long time, to be even labelled the 'best pound- for-pound ' boxers of their genera- tion. While May weather did not go into much financial detail, he has insisted in the past that he receive the majority of the purse, espe- cially the lucrative pay per view revenues. ''We want the fight, we are ready'' May weather said. ''Let's make it happen on May 2. May- weather versus Manny Pacquiao. Let's do it. ''I wanted that fight a long time ago and I am just waiting on them''. It has been suggested that the winner of Saturday's fight between Amir Khan and Devon Alexander could be in line to challenge May- weather, but their hopes are likely to be dashed if Pacquiao agrees to the bout, especially as May weath- er has hinted it could be his last. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao Swieqi Overseas win in scrappy encounter MIKE TURNER Kavallieri .................. 15 Swieqi Overseas ........ 24 IN this match which started as good rugby but ended in a scrappy mess, Kavallieri were their own worst enemies. Until the club manage to teach the players the value of keeping quiet they will not reap the reward of their own ability. They earned two yellow cards and one appalling red for their joint player coach Hopkins. From the start Overseas attacked and won much recycled ball with- out looking at all dangerous. By contrast, as soon as Kavalli- eri started to win possession they threatened to score and took the lead with a penalty by Edmunds. Overseas hit back immediately with an equally fine penalty kick by Briffa. Overseas won good ball but their backs showed little rugby intelligence and were easy to stop. Kavallieri scored a superb try after a quick tap penalty sent the ball across the line to the cor- ner and Edmunds converted. Briffa kicked Overseas into a good attacking position from the kick off but sloppy back play lost them all the ground gained. Yet again ili discipline cost Kavallieri a penalty converted by Overseas Briffa to bring them up to 6-10. Kavallieri penetrating running brought them right up on the at- tack, but Overseas full back was allowed to dodge around behind his own players in blatant infrac- tion to clear. Another Kavallieri attack was stopped and Briffa's clearance kick failed to find touch and Kav- allieri launched f leet foot winger Imbroll for a fine try to go out to 15 – 6 lead. Then the first major indiscipline by Kavallieri Susn- jara earned him a yellow card for a high tackle, which brought Over- seas back into the game. Briffa scored another penalty after ter- ritorial pressure and they would have scored a try were it not for a magnificent lineout steal by Cutajar, for Edmunds to clear for Kavalieri so the first half ended 15-9 to Kavallieri. The second half opened with yet another penalty by Briffa to pull back Overseas to 12-15. Kav- allieri pressed into the corner and launched a series of lineout maul drives, but sturdy defence by Overseas kept them out and started to frustrate them into in- discipline and argument. Overseas attacked in close but Kavallieri launched a brilliant counter attack running and pass- ing for 75 metres. Now Edmunds was suffering from severe cramp and was down when Overseas took the lead with a try in the cor- ner. However many of Kavallieri moves were being frustrated by hard tackling, especially by Briffa, who was very lucky not to be blown for persistent offside. Kavallieri coach Hopkins was red carded for a blatant infringement and Over- seas tails were up, pressing with forward charges in which Groves was a constant figure. Then came a match affecting mistake when the referee and touch judge al- lowed Kiwi Holmes to blatantly tackle and drop a man off the ball and away from the ruck. This caused an overlap which let the Overseas lock crash in for a try which Briffa converted to create a match winning lead of 24-15. Kav- allieri M. Bonavia was also yellow carded, but the final few minutes saw the 13 Kavaliieri pressing hard against the Overseas 15, to score. However Overseas held out to regain their momentum as challengers. For Kavallieri they will have little hope of honours if they do not improve their dis- cipline. Harbour ready for RC 44 Valletta Cup Showdown BOASTING one of the finest natural harbours in the world, it was only a matter of time before Malta hosted the opening stage for the Formula 1 of Sailing, RC 44 class. On 24 March, 2015, 13 teams will commence racing followed by five days of intense competition. The much awaited event is expected to offer those present a grand view just off the Sliema coastline and should the weather permit, there will also be one race taking place in Grand Harbour. The start of the event goes back to a few months back when a small group of determined and motivated sailing followers successfully managed to attract the event to Malta of which the sailors on board are the majority Olympic class athletes boasting sev- eral winners medals to their name. The event is a joint venture, co- hosted by the ministry of the econ- omy, investment and small business led by Chris Cardona and by yacht- ing events, under the guidance of the Malta Sailing Federation and the Royal Malta Yacht Club, supported by the Malta Tourism Authority. Ahead of the preparation for the event, one of the racing yachts owned by Swedish Gustaf Lidvall has already arrived in Malta. Despite be- ing new to the circuit, Lidvall's team should not be underestimated par- ticularly as they will be under the guidance of Australian champion Nathan Outteridge. All teams will be arriving shortly after the upcoming holidays. Each team is made up of eight sailors on board, each supported by their re- spective shore crews, management teams, coaches and personnel. As is the case with other Interna- tional sailing events in Malta, the event is expected to be of significant benefit in economic activity, as well as the benefits associated with local sailors who will be able to mix and integrate with visiting contingents. The event organisers have put in place a list of social and sailing ac- tivities in this regard, with sponsors potentially taking advantage of the 9th man on board as well as event VIP hospitality arrangements. From a local perspective, the event is sure to leave a legacy since Maltese national umpires will have the op- portunity to join the International Umpire Team. The organisers wish to thank all those contributing to the success of the event. More information on this event may be found on pr@yachtingevents.com.mt