The lightweight Nicola Fairbrother is still convinced she can improve on the Olympic silver she gained in 1992 and will have to

The lightweight Nicola Fairbrother is still convinced she can improve on the Olympic silver she gained in 1992, and will have to face the youthful challenge of Jenny Brien, from Camberley, while London’s Winston Graham puts in his middleweight bid for recognition against the more experienced Ryan Birch, from Manchester.And what of wayward Danny Kingston? He fights at light middleweight, instead of his normal lightweight, but knows that even victory in Sheffield will not solve his weight problems. But it remains to be seen whether he can hold off London’s Jim Warren today with his finger injury.With the seven fighters who have already qualified for the Olympics still viewing the facilities in Australia, the focus falls on those now competing for selection. With Olympic year looming, he must confirm his No 1 spot despite the handicap of a broken little finger on his left hand. “Little fingers are very important for gripping in judo,” explained his coach, Billy Cusack, who guided Randall to his world title in Birmingham in October and is convinced that Somerville has the talent and determination to do equally well at the Sydney Olympics.
Though he just missed out on Olympic qualification in Birmingham, Somerville’s international track record suggests that he will qualify by winning “A” tournaments in Europe between January and April.

THE FEATHERWEIGHT David Somerville, club-mate and training partner of the new world champion, Graeme Randall, faces a test of character at the British Closed Championships at Ponds Forge Sports Centre in Sheffield today. Ford said: “Kip says he’s very happy here and we want to keep him.”The England international Kojo Bonsu has disappointed Newcastle Eagles and Sheffield Sharks by signing for the Swedish club Magic M7.. The 29-year-old 6ft 9in Firte, from West Lafayette, Indiana, has played for four British Basketball League clubs over the past seven years but had a “gentlemen’s agreement” with the Derby coach, Martin Ford, that he be allowed to leave if he found better terms elsewhere.
Ford, who was yesterday trying to sign Ray Shultz from London Towers, said: “Chris was very fair about how much he expected to be paid when he joined, but we agreed to release him if he had a better offer.”Firte’s British passport is worth far more on the continent than on the salary-capped BBL, as it allows him to bypass restrictions on foreign players.Derby are also the target for a transfer bid from the Korean club Samsung Thunder, who are trying to prize away American Kip Stone with the promise of pounds 10,000 plus another American, G J Hunter. The fight would take place either on 22 January at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, or on 29 January at the MEN Stadium in Manchester..

DERBY STORM’S American Chris Firte was given a British passport this week and yesterday cashed in on his new European Union status for a more lucrative contract with the German club Brandt Hagen. Irwin’s British title is also at stake and there’s a lot of prestige in that. It seems amazing that Steve has not fought for it before.”n Reports yesterday indicated that Mike Tyson will fight in Britain next month if a deal can be worked out this weekend. So why the gamble?
Robinson’s manager, Dai Gardiner, explained: “We’ve got to defend the European title, we weren’t going to give it up or hang about Steve’s got to earn, so that’s it. Jon Jo Irwin stands in front of us and we’ve got to get him out of the way.

Yet he is prepared to risk his position by defending his European title against Doncaster’s capable British champion Jon Jo Irwin at Bowlers, Manchester tonight. Whether or not Robinson is in Hamed’s plans remains to be seen, but the Welshman simply cannot afford to lose at this crucial stage of his career. Now, firmly installed as the World Boxing Organisation’s leading contender for Hamed’s title, Robinson could be less than six months away from achieving his ambition. STEVE ROBINSON has waited four years for a chance to avenge his WBO featherweight title defeat by Prince Naseem Hamed. With the captain, Jon Wyatt, back in action, Reading expect to be at full strength and should make a major step forward to ensuring a play-off place.