Former Arsenal Chair PETER HILL-WOOD died, aged 82. Hill-Wood became chair in '82, when he succeeded his father, DENIS, and oversaw the "Invincibles" season of '03-04 under ARSÈNE WENGER before "ill health forced him to step down" in June '13. He was also "instrumental in the formation of the Premier League" and oversaw Arsenal's move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium in '06 (EUROSPORT, 12/28). ... Japanese kickboxer TENSHIN NASUKAWA vowed to "take down" boxer FLOYD MAYWEATHER in their three-round exhibition match in Japan on Monday. Former five-weight world champion Mayweather, 41, "will come out of retirement to fight Nasukawa over three rounds of boxing in Saitama." Nasukawa said, "People in Japan, listen. I will take down Mayweather" (BBC, 12/30). ... RUTH STRAUSS, the wife of former England cricket captain ANDREW STRAUSS, died, aged 46 after suffering from a rare form of lung cancer. Andrew said in a statement, "It is with great sadness and immense grief that we have to announce that Ruth passed away today as a result of her rare lung cancer" (London GUARDIAN, 12/29). ... World Rugby Chair BILL BEAUMONT was recognized in the British New Year's Honours list, with the former England captain "given a knighthood for his services to the sport." Beaumont joins former England cricket captain ALASTAIR COOK in receiving a knighthood, while Tour de France winner GERAINT THOMAS, England football coach GARETH SOUTHGATE and captain HARRY KANE were also recognized (REUTERS, 12/28). ... Former Australian Football League side Richmond player BEN GRIFFITHS officially signed a playing contract with the University of Southern California as a punter, after announcing his decision to quit AFL earlier this year. Griffiths was offered a scholarship by the university earlier this year, and has been training with ProKick Australia, a kicking academy run by former AFL player turned NFL punter NATHAN CHAPMAN, "which has produced the last five punter of the year award-winners in college football" (THE AGE, 12/24).
