British boxer Ricky Burns has the "chance to be the world’s most wanted super lightweight after landing a unification clash with Julius Indongo in Glasgow." The WBA champion will face the Namibian IBO and IBF belt holder at the SSE Hydro in April -- "with a mega fight in Las Vegas up for grabs for the winner" (Scotland DAILY RECORD, 1/9). ... British heavyweight David Price "will fight Germany-based Romanian Christian Hammer at London's Olympia next month." The fight on Feb. 4 will be on the undercard of Chris Eubank Jr.'s "latest bout," when he takes on Australian Renold Quinlan (BBC, 1/8).
The Hyderabad Cricket Association has "expressed its inability to stage the one-off Test match against Bangladesh" from Feb. 8-12 at the Uppal ground. The HCA has "apparently cited lack of funds as the reason for withdrawing." In another development, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association told the Board of Control for Cricket in India that it cannot host the two U19 test matches between India and England at Chennai that were scheduled from Feb. 13-16 and Feb. 21-24 (THE HINDU, 1/8).
The sixth stage of the Dakar Rally was "canceled on Saturday due to extreme weather conditions in Bolivia, with competitors heading for a rest day in La Paz before resuming the race on Monday." Scouts sent out by organizers to check the 786km stage from the mining town of Oruro to La Paz reported "steadily deteriorating terrain" (REUTERS, 1/7).
Final preparations are "under way in Gabon’s capital Libreville, as the country prepares to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations." With less than a week to go before the tournament kicks off on Jan. 14, authorities in the country "are rushing to put finishing touches on the four stadiums due to host the tournament." Gabon is "set to play the opening game against Guinea Bissau in Libreville" (AFRICA NEWS, 1/7).
