World boxing champion Amir Khan on Thursday promised to help bring international sports back to Pakistan, saying he would try to convince English cricketers to tour the insurgency-hit nation. "I am pleased to be back in the country of my forefathers and when people see me touring Pakistan it will put in their minds that it's a safe place to play," Khan, a Briton of Pakistani descent, told a press conference.

India sent its first sports team to Pakistan in more than a year on Thursday as a seven-member boxing team flew into Karachi to compete in a international tournament. The boxers are the first Indian sports team to cross the border since India stalled sporting links with Pakistan after the November 2008 attacks on Mumbai, which New Delhi blamed on militants based in Pakistan.

Terry Edwards's imminent departure as head coach of the British Olympic boxing team has been labelled "ridiculous" by one of the fighters he helped guide to a medal in Beijing.

Is it more painful to see the value of your fund disappear as the global economy crumbles, or for another man to punch you as hard as he can in the face?For Elliot `The Machine Gun` Odell, a 32-year-old Briton working in the hedge fund industry in Hong Kong, the chance to find out was irresistible.

In a country where rooting for the plucky underdog is as much a part of the sporting culture as Wembley Stadium, the Lord`s Test and strawberries and cream at Wimbledon, the record of British boxer Peter Buckley takes some beating.Or perhaps that should be losing.

BERLIN, August 31, 2008 (AFP) - Russian giant Nikolai Valuev said he was pleased to win back the vacated WBA belt after his unanimous points win over fellow former champion John Ruiz in Berlin on Saturday night.

BERLIN, August 30, 2008 (AFP) - Russian giant Nikolai Valuev regained the WBA heavyweight world title, which he lost last year to Ruslan Chagaev, in a split decision over America's John Ruiz here on Saturday night.Valuev was awarded the fight by two of the three judges to secure his 49th win, while this was the eighth defeat of 36-year-old Ruiz's 16-year career.

BERLIN, August 28, 2008 (AFP) - Russian giant Nikolai Valuev says he is looking to regain his WBA heavyweight world title with a new style when he meets America's John Ruiz in Berlin on Saturday night.

Olympic boxing results on Friday

KAMPALA, March 25, 2008 (AFP) - His name stirs amazement in coaches, while trainers gush over his skill and competitors quake in fear. Bashir Ramathan is an intimidating boxer -- even though he is blind.

Ramathan, 36, lost his sight in 1995 but refused to let that stop him from resuming his boxing career, three years ago.