Tomic turns on as fans turn away

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BERNARD Tomic, it could be argued, performed for a bigger crowd at Schoolies.

Despite completely dominating his first outing at the 2014 Sydney International - destroying Spaniard Marcel Granollers 6-3, 6-0 at the Sydney Olympic Tennis Centre yesterday - the controversial Aussie played before a Ken Rosewall Arena that, at best, was half full.

While his father John, who is banned from the upcoming Australian Open, made a surprise appearance courtside, the low crowd numbers suggest the Australian public is far from sold on the 21-year-old defending champion who has endured a raft of negative headlines, including his Gold Coast nightclub lap dance from two school leavers in November.

Yet on the opening day his 2014 Sydney tilt, Tomic insisted not only was he ready to defend the trophy, his sole ATP win of last year, but had "a very good feeling" thanks to the old man being courtside.

"Obviously my dad is still there,'' Tomic said last night.

"He's the one that me taught me to play like this.

"I've spent hours with him that I probably won't spend with no one else in my life. He knows me the best and is one of the reasons I am who I am today.

Bernard Tomic supporters in the stand , John Tomic ( ID by Will Swanton /front row blue shirt and black cap ) at the Apia International Tennis Tournament , Homebush .Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Limited

"My new coach is helping me out in a new way but I've still got my dad on my side, which is very important to me. I know his ban will finish very soon, in a few months, and he'll be back to helping me. I'm happy. Today I played very good, felt very good . . . I've always got two open minds and they're helping me, I'm positive with it and thankful for that."

John Tomic has been banned from ATP events for a year after assaulting Bernard's practice partner Thomas Drouet in May last year, for which he received a suspended sentence.

Yet while the old man won't be seen at Melbourne Park - even as a spectator after Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley said he was barred from the grounds - he is able to enter other venues as a paying fan at the discretion of individual tournament directors.

When asked if he had a contingency plan for the Australian Open, Tomic, who has employed a new coach in Velimir Zovko, continued: "Yeah, well I've moved down to Melbourne, so Melbourne is home for me now.

Bernard Tomic hits a return of sreve off Marcel Granollers at the Apia International Tennis Tournament , Homebush .Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Limited

"Obviously he (dad) can't come in, but that's fine. I'll see him at home. If there is anything I need to hear, he'll tell me."

Tomic will meet Blaz Kavcic in the second round, the Slovenian qualifier having downed Finland's Jarkko Nieminen 6-4, 6-3.

And it's expected Tomic senior will again by present, with tournament boss Craig Watson confirming permission had been granted to attend the Australian Open tune-up, although he is strictly prohibited from entering the players' area.

"The ATP has banned John Tomic - as is public knowledge - which excludes him from getting credentials and being in other accreditable areas," Watson said.

"There is nothing that prohibits the events agreeing to John being in public areas of the ground and I've agreed to allow that to happen."

Tomic also insisted he was disappointed despite having failed to make his goal of reaching the top 10 in 2013.

"You know, if I'm 25 years old, 26 years old I would probably feel like that,'' he said. "But I've just turned 21, so I think I'm at the right age."

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Nine ticks off ODI rotation policy

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BROADCASTER Channel Nine has wholeheartedly endorsed the resting of Ashes hero Mitchell Johnson and other Aussie stars from some matches of the upcoming one-day series.

While Nine wants bang for its buck after last year forking out over $400million for the international cricket rights, it has no issue with some big names being on the sidelines at times during the ODIs against the Poms.

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Nine has in the past been heavily critical of Cricket Australia over the rotation of players, especially last summer when skipper Michael Clarke, Dave Warner and Matthew Wade were given the first two ODI games off.

The Courier-Mail understands fast bowling superstar Johnson will be rested during some of the early ODIS against England, possibly as soon as the series opener at the MCG on Sunday.

Clarke, Warner and 'keeper Brad Haddin are other players likely to have breaks during the five-match ODI series.

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Nine boss of sport Steve Crawley says he understands the need for some players to put their feet up after Australia fielded an unchanged team for five heavy-duty Ashes Tests.

"I wasn't a supporter of the rotation system but Australia have now played five Tests in a row with the same players. I totally get that some of them need to have a rest," Crawley told The Courier-Mail.

"They are men, not machines. I could not be happier for them to have a break.

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"Mitchell Johnson is such a tough bloke but his body would be feeling it after bowling 150km/h throughout the five Tests.

"These players have done the whole country a favour and I understand if they are rested for some (ODI) games."

Given Johnson was stiff and sore when he climbed the presentation dais at the SCG on Sunday to collect his Ashes man-of-the-series award, you can hardly quibble about him being rested.

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However Cricket Australia still needs to walk a tightrope over the resting of players.

For instance, fans who forked out their hard-earned for an ODI ticket will not be deliriously excited watching someone like Clint McKay rather than England's chief tormentor Johnson.

The Australian public is also crying out to chomp on more cricket success and to rub more salt into the Poms' gaping wounds, and the one-day side will be considerably weakened when Johnson does not play.

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Johnson was Australia's leading wicket-taker in the ODI series in India last October and it was no surprise the Aussies lost the deciding one-dayer when he was sent home early to prepare for the Ashes.

Even though Test cricket and the looming series in South Africa must take precedence, this one-day series marks the serious start of Australia's preparation for the 50-over World Cup in Australasia next February.

There is no easy answer or one-size-fits-all approach to Australia's management of its Ashes stars because the cluttered international cricket schedule allows few breaks.

Should Australia rotate their stars in the upcoming ODI series?

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Mad Dog moniker bewilders

Marinko Matosevic hits a forehand in the match against Florian Mayer at the Apia International Tennis Tournament , Homebush .Picture Gregg Porteous Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

SYDNEY sports fans, meet your Mad Dog.

While all hype surrounding the 2014 Sydney International has, not surprisingly, involved Bernard Tomic, fellow Australian Marinko 'Mad Dog' Matosevic is ready to steal some limelight for himself.

Apart from downing German Florian Mayer 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 at Homebush yesterday, the 28-year-old Melbournian also had a small, but vocal, mob of blokes screaming 'carn Mad Dog and barking loudly to celebrate his winning points.

But as for where the moniker comes from?

"I don't know,'' the Mad Dog said afterwards, completely mystified.

"I never get it anywhere besides here in Sydney.

"So I think it's a person from up here. They're having me on or something. I know some idiot put it on Wikipedia because last year I came to Sydney, some journalist asked me about the Mad Dog too. I was like what the 'F'?"

So you don't like it then?

"It's okay, but Mad Dog, what is that?" he shrugged.

"Like a dog with rabies? I don't know.

"Honestly, I don't get it anywhere but in Sydney. I think it's a Sydney person with too much time on their hands."

But c'mon Mad Dog, can you really blame us? Remembering that not since Adam MacDougall was winning premierships, earning Test caps and talking to his thighs have sports fans had a cult canine to truly get behind.

And what a story his is. Born in Bosnia, Matosevic immigrated to Melbourne as a child with his parents, Branko and Ljubica, and now sits behind only Lleyton Hewitt and Tomic in Australian men's tennis rankings.

Importantly, his win over Mayer was also a solid return to form after being humbled by Roger Federer in the quarter finals of the Brisbane International, 6-1 6-1.

Asked what he learned from the Federer thumping, Meyer continued: "Not much, to tell you the truth, because I was out of energy in ten minutes.

"I was like so overwrought and Roger suffocated me. I'm watching this guy, and I'm drenched in sweat and he's like not even sweating.

"Not even using a towel and not taking a sip of water. I haven't seen the tape yet but, yeah, I'll watch it."

Asked if he felt frustrated with the amount of exposure Hewitt and Tomic received, Mad Dog said: "No, no.

"I mean, I finished number one last year. In 2012, I finished top 50.

"So it doesn't matter. Lleyton has obviously put the runs on the board with world No. 1 and two Grand Slam wins, Davis Cup wins. And Bernard has made quarterfinals of Wimbledon as an 18 year old.

"You can't take anything away from them. I'm happy. Until I get the results in the big tournaments, I'm happy to play third fiddle."

Fellow Aussie Sam Groth got rolled by experienced Czech Radek Stephanek 7-6 (6) 6-7 (5) 6-2.

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Heat takes toll on tired Hewitt

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LLEYTON Hewitt's single-minded preparation for the Australian Open prompted him to pull out of this week's eight-man event at Kooyong.

Hewitt wants to rest his 32-year-old body after five matches in sapping heat to win last singles title in week's Brisbane International.

"Obviously this week is all about preparation for the Australian Open and getting yourself in as good a nick as possible,'' Hewitt said.

"At the moment, iIt's all about recovery for me. When you get older, it gets a bit tougher. It's tougher than when you were 16, but I still enjoy being out there and having some success.

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"Saturday and Sunday were brutal conditions up in Brisbane. Very little breeze and very hot and humid in Pat Rafter Arena. We're going into the first major and you have to do absolutely everything that's right for you.''

Hewitt will still play a match at Kooyong, against Scot Andy Murray, as an extra match to the Classic's schedule on Friday. Australian Open defending champion Novak Djokovic has also asked for a warm-up at Kooyong and will play Argentine Juan Monaco on Thursdaytomorrow.

Hewitt's withdrawal gives Sydney teenager Jordan Thompson an opportunity to test himself in three matches against top-20 players at Kooyong this week.

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Thompson, ranked 315, won a spot in the Open field in the wildcard playoff before Christmas and the 19-year-old earned the Kooyong call-up with the rest of Australia's higher ranked players in Sydney this week.

Hewitt, who will base his schedule around the four Grand Slams championshipsand Davis Cup ties, is not fazed at being Australia's top-ranked player again after his final triumph over Roger Federer.

"It's just a number. I couldn't care less,'' he said. If I go out and win a title, obviously, I'm playing well enough to still compete against the best guys in the world,'' he said.

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"We still have some young guys on the way up led by Bernie (Tomic). Hopefully, I'm not 35 and still the No. 1, but we'll wait and see.''

On his Open chances, Hewitt said: "Every match is tough. Being not seeded, you come into any of the seeded guys in the first couple of rounds.

"It has been a dream since I was eight, nine years old. For me to still be out there competing, this is my 18th Australian Open in a row, so I'm thrilled just to be out there.

"As long as I'm still enjoying tennis, training and doing all the hard things, I'll keep playing. Over the last four or five years, I missed a lot of tennis through surgery and that freshens you up mentally and physically.

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"I've made no secret that I'm not going to play every week. I don't want to and I don't need to. I try to prepare as best as possible for the majors and Davis Cup and work my schedule around that.''

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White Australia's forgotten man

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IF DOMESTIC form counts for anything, then the national selectors must have raised an eyebrow at Cameron White's 1110 runs so far this summer.

Raised an eyebrow, but not lifted him into the Australian team.

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White is in the top three leading run scorers in the Shield, Ryobi Cup and Big Bash competitions, but has not cracked it for a spot in the national Test or one-day squads.

Asked whether he thought he was entering Brad Hodge territory - being ignored by selectors despite scoring a mountain of runs - White responded: "No. I hope not.

"Hopefully I'm not being ignored and there's an opportunity just around the corner.

"I feel as though I've got unfinished business playing for Australia. I'd like to push on and play a lot more for Australia in all of the formats. That's why I'm still playing cricket.

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"I probably would've chucked it in if that wasn't the case. I still love playing the game and harbour strong ambitions to get back there and prove myself at that level again."

The Melbourne Stars skipper said getting the call up to play for Australia was often simply a matter of the stars being in alignment.

"Just because you're in good form, doesn't mean that you're guaranteed to play," the 30-year-old said.

"I think (the members of) the one-day team, individually, they've been playing pretty well as well, their batsmen especially have had a good last couple of series, so I just have to be patient and wait for a spot."

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His Melbourne Stars and Victorian coach, Greg Shipperd, said the Australian selectors had been "really consistent" in giving opportunities to in-form cricketers over the past few seasons, and expected White to feature in the three Twenty20 internationals against England later this month.

"I think he must have been really, really close to selection for the one-day series," Shipperd said, "and I don't think they've bedded down the Australian Twenty20 team yet, so I'd be surprised if he's not included in that group at the back end of the season given his current form."

Shipperd said that in addition to his dynamic batting, White's leadership, superb fielding and useful bowling meant he would definitely be "on the selectors' radar" for the T20 World Cup (in Bangladesh in March) and the 2015 World Cup in Australasia.

"I know that in discussions with them they've been suitably impressed with Cameron's current form and the way he's striking the ball."

He suggested White's Shield form meant he would be in the discussions about the touring party for the upcoming Test series in South Africa, but "I think they've shown their hand as far as the next Test batsman goes, and that's (Alex) Doolan."

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When the first Test gets underway at Centurion on February 12, White is more likely to be padding up for Victoria in a Shield match against New South Wales at the SCG, a formidable presence in the Bushrangers' middle order.

"I think the penny's dropped in terms of putting together all of the technical aspects he's been working on over a long period of time," Shipperd said of White's red-ball form.

"That, added to his maturity as a player. The mental side of the game, the strategies around how hard to attack it as a batsman, that side of things has come together nicely this year.

"At 30 a lot of those things click in to place for a lot of cricketers and think that's been the case for him."

White agreed: "My game's in a good place ... I feel that my game's in the order it needs to be to go back to the next level, but in saying that you can't just expect that because you're in good form (you'll get called up).

"There are plenty of people in good form around the country that aren't that side either.

"It's up to me to keep performing and to be patient and hopefully when the timing's right I can grab a chance again."

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Messi cleared for return

Dynamic duo ... Barcelona's Neymar (right) and Lionel Messi will be back together on the pitch soon. Source: Manu Fernandez / AP

LIONEL Messi is set to return from a two-month injury lay-off after being cleared by Barcelona team doctors and included in the squad for the Copa del Rey match against Getafe tomorrow

Messi hasn't played since tearing his left hamstring in November, his fourth leg injury last year.

He returned to training with Barcelona last week after recovering in Argentina.

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said Messi "feels fine" but didn't reveal if the club's all-time leading scorer will start or stay on the bench.

"Messi rehabbed well and has trained like the rest of the team," Martino said. "Maybe he lacks some playing time, but with Leo I don't think that will be a problem.

"Messi gives us all a boost of confidence. With him at our side, we all feel more secure."

Martino said that if Messi plays he hopes he can repeat his remarkable goal against Getafe in 2007, when he dribbled from his own half, slaloming by a series of defenders, to net arguably his greatest goal.

Barcelona lost its only two games of the season without Messi, but it has managed to hold onto a share of the Spanish league lead with Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona hosts Getafe in the first leg of the round of 16 before travelling to Atletico on Saturday in one of the most highly anticipated league matches of the season.

In Messi's absence, Pedro Rodriguez, Neymar and, most recently, Alexis Sanchez have picked up the scoring slack. Pedro leads the team with 15 goals in all competitions this season, one more than Messi.

Martino left Xavi Hernandez, Dani Alves and Marc Bartra off his squad for the Getafe match. He also confirmed that backup goalkeeper Jose Pinto will continue to start in the Copa del Rey, as he had under prior coaches Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova.

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Sharks devour Colorado

New York Islanders' Casey Cizikas's shot hits Detroit Red Wings' Petr Mrazek in the chest. Source: Paul Sancya / AP

SAN Jose's Joe Pavelski scored with just under 20 seconds left in regulation to tie the game and the Sharks then prevailed in a shootout to beat Colorado 5-4 in an NHL thriller on Monday,

Elsewhere, Anaheim's hot streak continued as the Ducks rallied past Washington, Dallas scored on its first two shots to set up a win over Los Angeles, and Chicago defeated New Jersey.

San Jose's win over Colorado built to an epic climax, with Erik Johnson and Jamie McGinn scoring just 12 seconds apart in the final two minutes to put the Avalanche up 4-3.

But there was still time for Pavelski to tie it after taking a pass from Joe Thornton, who has an 11-game point streak against the Avalanche, then Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau scored in the shootout to secure two points for the Sharks.

Jason Demers, Brent Burns and Matthew Irwin also scored for San Jose while Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog tallied for Colorado.

Anaheim also won a close game, edging Washington 3-2 to open the Ducks' lead in the Pacific Division to five points over city rival Los Angeles.

Hampus Lindholm scored the winner at 14:24 of the third period while Andrew Cogliano had a goal and an assist and Saku Koivu also netted for the Ducks, who have won a franchise-best nine-straight games.

A potential tying goal for Washington on a shot by Alex Ovechkin that hit the crossbar and landed just outside the line with about three minutes left was reviewed and ruled no goal.

Mikhail Grabovski and Nicklas Backstrom scored for the Capitals.

Dallas Stars' Cody Eakin (20) scores against Los Angeles Kings goalie Martin Jones. Source: AP

Dallas' Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn scored on the Stars first shots, laying the foundation for a 5-2 win over Los Angeles.

It was a horror start for the previously unbeaten Kings rookie goaltender Martin Jones, who conceded further goals to Valeri Nichushkin in the second period and Cody Eakin with 4:48 remaining. Shawn Horcuff was credited with an empty-net goal after he was tripped from behind in the Kings zone.

Justin Williams and Jarret Stoll scored first-period goals for the Kings, who were without ill captain Dustin Brown.

There was another 5-2 scoreline in Chicago where Patrick Sharp scored twice and Patrick Kane, Bryan Bickell and Nick Leddy also connected as the Blackhawks beat New Jersey.

Stephen Gionta and Michael Ryder scored for the Devils, whose season-high four-game point streak ended.

Kane has points in 12 straight games, matching his career high - set earlier this season and just before this run.

Ottawa's Craig Anderson made 27 saves for his second shutout of the season, helping the Senators cruise to a 5-0 win over Pittsburgh.

The game was close after two periods but the Senators dominated the Penguins in the third outshooting them 15-9 while getting goals from Erik Karlsson, Kyle Turris and Cory Conacher. Zack Smith and Bobby Ryan scored earlier for the Senators.

Carl Soderberg of the Boston Bruins shoots while laying on the ice Source: AFP

Nashville's Carl Soderberg scored on a power play and had two assists to lead the Bruins to a 6-2 win over Nashville.

Jarome Iginla added a pair of goals while Brad Marchand, Matt Fraser and Reilly Smith also scored for Boston, which gave coach Claude Julien his 400th career win.

Craig Smith scored twice for Nashville.

Calgary's Joe Colborne scored the only goal of the shootout to give the Flames an improbable come-from-behind 4-3 win over St. Louis.

Colborne took the first attempt in the shootout and beat Jaroslav Halak on a deke, while goalie Reto Berra turned aside three Blues' shots to earn the win.

Mark Giordano forced overtime by scoring the tying goal with 5 seconds left, while Jiri Hudler and Mike Cammalleri also scored for Calgary, which had lost its previous three games.

Kevin Shattenkirk, Jaden Schwartz and Paajarvi scored for the Blues.

Wayne Simmonds tries a wrap-around shot against goalie Niklas Backstrom. Source: AFP

Philadelphia's Wayne Simmonds had two goals and an assist as the Flyers downed Minnesota 4-1 to extend their home winning streak to nine games.

Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis had a goal and two assists as the Lightning beat state rival Florida 6-1 to make it five-straight wins.

New York's Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan scored shootout goals to give the Rangers a 2-1 win over Toronto.

Columbus' Ryan Johansen and Jack Skille scored 1:28 apart late in the third period to rally the Blue Jackets to a 4-3 win over Carolina.

New York Islanders' Evgeni Nabokov checks the puck away from Detroit's Todd Bertuzzi. Source: AP

New York's Evgeni Nabokov made 23 saves for his 56th career shutout, helping the Islanders win 3-0 against Detroit.

Buffalo scored in bizarre circumstances to take a 2-1 win over Phoenix, as the puck became lodged in the back of the goalie's jersey and when he retreated to his crease, he unwittingly took it across the line to end the game.

Edmonton's Taylor Hall had a goal and two assists as the Oilers snapped a season-worst six-game skid with a 6-2 victory over Winnipeg.

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Best fights of 2013

Marcos Maidana's straight right catches Adrien Broner during their WBA welterweight title bout. Source: Eric Gay / AP

THE best fights of the year, according to boxing expert Grantlee Kieza.

DENNIS HOGAN BEATS NATHAN CARROLL ON POINTS AFTER 10 ROUNDS

November 7

IRISH-BORN strongman Dennis Hogan overpowered fellow Brisbane rival Nathan Carroll to take the Australian middleweight title with a ferocious 10-round decision at Brisbane's Eatons Hill Hotel.

It was a thrilling encounter for the sold-out crowd and fans watching around the country on Fox Sports.

The unbeaten Hogan proved too rugged and persistent with his savage counterpunches, and his pressure tactics stopped Carroll using his skills at long range.

Nathan Carroll lost a classic bout to Dennis Hogan on point after 10 rounds. Source: News Limited

Last year at the Mansfield Tavern, Hogan stopped Carroll in seven rounds but Carroll - who had won the national title in the interim - came into the rematch with an improved defence and a steely resolve.

It wasn't enough though as Hogan, a former Irish international as an amateur, banged away with his brutal hooks and uppercuts to dominate the fight.

CARL FROCH BEATS GEORGE GROVES BY TKO IN ROUND 9

November 23

A CONFIDENT George Groves needled super-middleweight iron man Carl Froch relentlessly for months and seemed to have him rattled in the days leading up to one of England's most anticipated fights of the year in Manchester.

Groves said Froch was old, that he was slowing up, that he was in serious decline.

In the first round he looked to be right.

All smiles at the BBC SPOTY awards night but was less happy when losing to Carl Froch. Source: Getty Images

Groves caught the IBF and WBA champ flush on the chin with a left-right in the opening round and dropped him.

Froch staggered back into the fight but Groves hit him from all angles throughout round two.

But Froch kept wading forward catching everything on his granite chin and eventually firing back. As both men fought to a virtual standstill Froch began to hurt Groves and, after a barrage of Froch punches in round nine, referee Howard Foster stopped the fight and Froch was still the champ.

TIMOTHY BRADLEY BEATS RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV IN ROUND 12

March 16

IN his first fight since out-hustling Filipino great Manny Pacquiao, American muscleman Timothy Bradley retained his world welterweight title at the Home Depot Centre in Carson, California with an all-time classic battle against Russia's Ruslan Provodnikov.

Timothy Bradley has proved to be a dogged fighter who has taken on the best and largely succeeded. Source: AP

Bradley remained unbeaten in 31 fights with a close decision after dominating the middle rounds. But he was on the canvas in the 12th and final round after one last desperate barrage from Provodnikov, a Kostya Tszyu look-alike known as "The Siberian Rocky.''

Provodnikov appeared to have Bradley out on his feet in rounds one and two as the bell sounded.

The fight ended with Bradley taking a knee in the last round under withering pressure from Provodnikov, but having won enough rounds to earn a unanimous decision.

MARCOS MAIDANA BEATS ADRIEN BRONER IN ROUND 12

December 14

THE spoilt brat got a kick in the backside.

In a thriller Argentine bull Marcos Maidana dropped cocky welterweight champion Adrien "The Problem" Broner twice and took away his WBA belt with a 12-round unanimous decision at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Marcos Maidana lands a right flush on Adrien Broner's jaw. Source: AFP

Maidana cracked Broner with a right hand in the first round and had Broner holding on. Maidana continued the aggression in round two and dropped the champ.

Broner fought back hard in the middle rounds but in round eight Maidana dropped him again.

Maidana gave Broner a light headbutt under the chin as the fighters wrestled, and Broner, acting badly, flopped on the canvas looking for a disqualification.

A desperate Broner fought hard in the 12th but Maidana took the title.

WAYLON LAW BEATS BRENT ELLIOTT IN ROUND 8

August 29

BRENT Elliott retained his Queensland junior-lightweight title with a split decision over Waylon Law in a slugfest at Brisbane's Eatons Hill Hotel.

Brent Elliott and Waylon Law in the lead-up to their classic fight. Source: News Limited

The lanky Law went down from a right hand on the bell at the end of the first round but fell in such a way that it looked like he was joking. Referee Tony Kettlewell did not apply a count.

He was down again in the fourth.

The shorter Elliott was an aggressive bull-ant throughout.

In a rematch three months later Law gained his revenge with a second-round stoppage.

QAMIL BALLA BEATS JACK BRUBAKER IN ROUND 10

September 12

FORMER amateur star Qamil Balla won the vacant Australian light-welterweight title against Jack Brubaker in a battle of unbeaten prospects at the Melbourne Pavilion, Flemington.

The fight was the main event on the Fox Sports program.

Qamil Balla won the vacant Australian light-welterweight title against Jack Brubaker. Source: News Limited

The Altona North sensation was given a thrilling contest against the Sydney fighter but proved too sharp as the fight wore on and took the decision.

Balla is of Albanian heritage and competed at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

SHAGGY KING BEATS DAVID GALVIN BY TKO IN ROUND 9

February 28

LIGHT-MIDDLEWEIGHT Shannon King came from behind to stop David Galvin in nine rounds for the vacant Australian title in a dramatic turnaround at the Greek Club, South Brisbane.

Alice Springs fighter David Galvin had more luck in this bout than against Shaggy King. Source: Supplied

Galvin had out worked King consistently and the heavily favoured former kickboxer looked in desperate trouble complaining to his corner about a burst eardrum.

But in round nine, knowing that he needed a knockout to win, King threw everything he had.

A big right dropped Galvin and shortly after was out in his feet when referee Phil Austin saved him from further punishment at 49 seconds of the round.

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MCG ton to cap big year for Warner

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IT HAS fallen - surprise, surprise - to Davey Warner to provide a clue or two to what the Australian team really thinks about the shock mid-series retirement of one of England's most senior cricketers, Graeme Swann.

"It's different ... it's like a little bit of a knockout blow," the outspoken opening batsman said at the MCG on Christmas Eve.

"It's weird with Trotty going home and now Swanny retiring. We look at that and don't know what to think in a way - but credit to us, we're playing good cricket."

That's as close as anyone in the Oz camp has come to expressing a sense of triumph at having battered a key opponent into submission long before the fight is finished, which is hard for the English camp to deny with their matchwinning off-spinner reduced to seven wickets at 80 apiece.

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Swann's unexpected exit, which follows the earlier withdrawal of senior batsman Jonathon Trott with psychological problems after the first Test, has attracted plenty of acidic criticism from Australian fans despite his explanation that his body is simply no longer up to the task of delivering 70 or 80 overs across a gruelling five-day match.

Swann's explosive barb about some players - whom he declined to identify, even by nationality - being up themselves didn't help.

"Who cares what he thinks? He has left his mates for dead and run away. Weak as!" was one tweet that thudded into my in-box, encapsulating a widespread sentiment.

Despite the willing sledging that has been a much-debated feature of this series - or at least the early part of it, before it became obvious that the scoreboard was going to speak more loudly than anyone - the Australians have been mostly careful not to bad-mouth a player they do respect now that they have put him down for the count.

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To a man, they have been generous in their applause for a fine career, which Swann certainly did deliver with 255 wickets in 60 Tests making him England's sixth most successful bowler, fast or slow, in history.

But there is no doubt they were surprised to see him walk away as if there was nothing left to play for.

"I couldn't believe it," skipper Michael Clarke said in his column this week.

"(He is) the one player I am most surprised won't be stepping out to play against us."

Warner provided Swann with his last two wickets, but only after giving him plenty of stick on the way to making 60 and 112 in Perth.

He said he heard the retirement news as he boarded a flight to Melbourne for the Test.

"At first it was a bit of a surprise," he said. "As he said, he came out here to try to win four (Ashes series) in a row.

"From our point of view it was a bit of a shock to the system, but he's had a fantastic career and its been a privilege to play against him.

"I wish him all the best in his retirement.

"As we have all said, we don't really care about what happens in the English setup - we have to keep playing our brand of cricket."

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Warner's turbulent year, which has involved a twitter row with senior journalists, a physical altercation with England batsman Joe Root in a bar and a rebuke for failing to keep an appointment to play club cricket, is ending in a good place, with 454 runs at 91.4 in the series so far.

This will be his third Boxing Day Test and he is yet to make a Test ton at the MCG, where he first made his name with an explosive 89 in a Twenty20 match against South Africa in January 2009.

There was a huge crowd that day and Boxing Day will probably bring an even bigger one.

"You've got to pinch yourself really because you don't get 90,000 people every day of your life," he said.

Time was when the adrenalin surge created by such an audience might have been enough to see him cut loose regardless of the situation or the quality of the bowling.

But maturity has kicked in on and off the field, it seems.

"I've started to learn my game a lot more and it is helping me out," he said.

"It has a lot to do with the way I've been playing. I'm still at the crease longer, watching the ball harder, feeling much more comfortable at the crease.

"You've got to treat every ball that comes at you as if it is the first one and then try to play the role you can for the team."

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With comparisons being made in the past few days about Australia's pace attack and South Africa's - bowling coach Craig McDermott claims his troops have the edge on Dale Steyn and Co - Warner was asked if he was already switched on by the next big challenge.

"Not at all," he said.

"I'm thinking a bout today's training session rather than Boxing Day. We live in the present, not in the past, and that's what I'm focused on.

"I probably did get too far ahead of myself and was playing each innings in my head 15 times. I've worked out the way to keep thinking about now rather than a few days time."

Few players would be more acutely aware than Warner of how quickly, and profoundly, things can change in cricket. Fortunately for him, the pendulum has been swinging in nothing but the right direction as his year of living dangerously comes to a more peaceful end.

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Miami turn up heat to win

LeBron James lays up in front of Rasual Butler as Miami beat the Hawks following late rally. Source: CHRIS TROTMAN / AFP

MIAMI'S Michael Beasley sank two free throws with 9.2 seconds left to give the Heat a 121-119 overtime victory over Atlanta on Monday, opening a 6-1/2 game lead over the Hawks atop the NBA Southeast Division.

Other key results on Monday included Dallas' victory over state rival Houston with Dirk Nowitzki leading the way, the other Texan team San Antonio defeating Toronto, and Indiana winning comfortably again by bouncing Brooklyn.

Miami's LeBron James scored 38 points as the Heat struggled to see off Atlanta despite taking an early 13-0 lead.

The hosts trailed by seven points with 90 seconds left in regulation before tying the scores when Ray Allen made three free throws with eight seconds left after being fouled by DeMarre Carroll.

Allen finished with 19 points for the Heat, who played without Dwyane Wade and still beat the Hawks for the ninth straight time.

Jeff Teague scored 26 points for Atlanta.

Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki with a fade-away jumper over the Rockets' Terrence Jones. Source: AP

Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki scored 31 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter to guide the Mavericks to a 111-104 win over Houston.

The Rockets cut the lead to six points with about 3 minutes left, but Nowitzki knocked down consecutive baskets to push the Mavericks lead out to 107-97.

Dwight Howard had 29 points and 15 rebounds for the Rockets, who were playing their second straight game without leading scorer James Harden, who was out with a sprained ankle.

Houston's loss allowed San Antonio to build its Southwest Division lead to 4-1/2 games by beating Toronto 112-99.

Spurs guard Tony Parker squeezes past the Raptors' Terrence Ross and Amir Johnson. Source: AP

Tony Parker had 26 points and eight assists while Manu Ginobili had 18 points for the Spurs.

Kyle Lowry and Terrence Ross had 23 points each for the Raptors, who got within three or less on numerous occasions in the second half, but no closer.

Lance Stephenson eludes Joe Johnson for the Pacers against the Nets. Source: AP

Indiana's Lance Stephenson scored a career-high 26 points back in his hometown as the Pacers won 103-86 at Brooklyn.

Paul George also had 26 for the Pacers, who pulled away in the third period, when Brooklyn's Paul Pierce was ejected for a flagrant foul in only the second scoreless game of his career.

Indiana had won its previous two games by a combined 60 points and blew this one open after a competitive first half.

Joe Johnson scored 17 points for the Nets, who lost their third straight.

Gerald Green of the Suns with some hang time over the Lakers' Jordan Hill. Source: AFP

Phoenix's Gerald Green hit six 3-pointers and scored 22 points to lead the Suns to a 117-90 win over the undermanned Los Angeles Lakers.

Miles Plumlee grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds and added 17 points while having his way inside with an ailing Pao Gasol, who was still clearly struggling with a respiratory infection.

The Suns held a 62-39 edge on the boards in their eighth win in nine games.

Nick Young scored 19 points for the Lakers, who fell to 1-2 since Kobe Bryant was sidelined with a knee injury.

David Lee dunks in front of Timofey Mozgov, teammate Andrew Bogut and Wilson Chandler. Source: AP

Golden State's David Lee had 28 points and 10 rebounds for his ninth straight double-double, powering the Warriors to an 89-81 win over Denver.

Stephen Curry, battling foul trouble much of the night, added 14 points in the first meeting between the teams since the Warriors beat the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs last spring.

Klay Thompson scored eight of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, helping Golden State overcome a fourth-quarter deficit for the fourth time this season and sending the Nuggets to their season-high fourth consecutive loss.

Ty Lawson had 16 points to lead Denver, which was outscored 25-15 in the final period and sank to a fourth-straight loss.

Brandon Jennings is fouled by Anthony Bennett in the Pistons' win over Cleveland. Source: AP

Detroit's Josh Smith scored 25 points as the Pistons beat Cleveland 115-92 to make it seven wins from eight road games.

New Orleans' Tyreke Evans made a memorable return, scoring a season-high 25 points and adding 12 assists to help the Pelicans defeat Sacramento 113-87 and end a four-game losing skid.

Charlotte's Al Jefferson had a season-high 26 points, and Kemba Walker nearly had a triple double as the Bobcats edged Milwaukee 111-110 in overtime.

Memphis' Zach Randolph scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Grizzlies beat Utah 104-94.

New York's Carmelo Anthony had 19 points before leaving the game with a sprained ankle in the third quarter, and the Knicks hung on to beat Orlando 103-98.

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