So where's the catch (weight)?

Wasn't The Mayweather v Marquez fight supposed to be at a catchweight of 144 pounds? So how come Mayweather weighed in at 146 pounds? Apparently, he'll have to pay a $600,000 penalty for not even attempting to get down to the contract weight. But that's scant consollation for Marquez, who was duly pummelled by a man possibly a stone (or more) heavier at the start of the contest. Don't get me wrong, Mayweather is an unbelievable fighter - but, boy, does he like to play things safe.

Whisper it, but Marquez could win

After a few quiet months, some exciting fights are on the horizon, the first of which is Mayweather v Marquez this weekend. Mayweather is the clear favourite, but Marquez should not be underestimated. Let's not forget, despite being knocked down three times by Pacquiao in the first round of their initial fight, Marquez went on to dominate the contest and should have been given the decision. Although I didn't see the rematch, many analysts thought Marquez also won that fight. Mayweather has the weight advantage, and is undoubtedly an exceptional fighter. But can he keep taking such long breaks between fights without the 'ring rust' eventually affecting his performance? It should certainly be a great fight.

The greatest?

Robbie Blake began his professional football career at Darlington, signing on from the club's youth academy. Fifteen years later he scores the winning goal in a Premiership game against the reigning champions Manchester United (and what a goal it was too - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P29dA9wgi4w) . Does this single act make him Darlo's most accomplished player - ever? I think it just might.

Change the Rules! (No.3) - cricket

England have just won the toss for the final Ashes test, meaning that they have had this honour four out of five times in the series. This is completely ludicrous. Wining the coin toss and being able to decide whether to bat or bowl first is an obvious advantage in cricket. So it’s common sense that, in any series, it should be divided equally between the two teams. A coin should be tossed before the first test, and then for the remainder of the series the two captains should take alternate turns in deciding whether to bat or bowl first (obviously, in a five test series, it would have to be split 3-2). Allowing one team to have this advantage in four out of five tests (with the possibility of having it in all five) is ridiculous – the equivalent of allowing a chess player to have the white pieces more often than their opponent in a multi-game match. It simply isn’t cricket.

Major Tom

Make no mistake about it, had Tom Watson won the Open on Sunday it would have been the greatest single sporting achievement of all time - eclipsing Ali's defeat of Foreman or even an 8th Tour win by Lance Armstrong. To come so close to triumphing at such a major sporting event at the age of 59 was simply a phenomenal performance - even if he couldn't (quite) get across the winning line. Never has the climax to a sporting event been so anticlimactic - but that should not undermine the magnitude of Watson's achievement. One is reminded of the words of Eddie Futch, Joe Frazier's trainer, at the end of the 'Thrilla in Manila': "Sit down son; it's all over. But no one will ever forget what you did here today."

Tour de Force

Let's be clear about this. If Lance Armstrong wins this Tour de France he will become, unquestionably, the greatest sportsperson who has ever lived. Right dad?

Final prediction

Here's hoping my uncanny ability will work one more time: Barcelona to win a disappointing game.