Gary McMillan, the Edinburgh light-middleweight, must overcome an undefeated opponent at Liverpool's Olympia Arena tonight if he is to realise his ambition of challenging for the British title, writes Jim Black.
The 25-year-old southpaw sees no reason to fear Liam Smith in the final eliminator, though, after pointing out that he lasted the distance against the legendary Manny Pacquiao. Indeed, McMillan so impressed the American trainer Freddie Roach that he was invited to stay on to assist the Filipino with his world title preparations.
McMillan, who has lost three of his 20 bouts compared to Smith's record of 11 wins, said: "Sparing with Pacquiao was an incredible experience but I must have done alright. Now that I'm on the cusp of a British title shot, I'm supremely confident of making it happen. The time I spent in the States was invaluable. I was there in August for the third time and the investment has been worthwhile. Working out at the Wild Card Gym is a totally different world from here. Guys travel for up to four hours just to spar and it's brilliant because they want to have a war."
basketball
Glasgow Rocks have finally gained a work permit for their American signing Mike Ringgold, freeing the centre to make his debut against London Lions on Sunday, writes Mark Woods. The newcomer, who averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds in Iceland last season, fills the vacancy left by Maneptha Darden who was axed six weeks ago. "Ringgold is a versatile player who will be able to step in and help us defensively for multiple roles and also be a threat offensively. His athleticism will give us a different look," said Sterling Davis, the Rocks coach.
cricket
Scotland will face three Test-playing nations in what could be their busiest season next year, writes William Dick. They already have a glamour one-day international against Australia next September in Edinburgh and it is understood that they will provide the opposition to two other ICC Full Member countries preparing for the Champions Trophy being staged in England in June. They are also likely to face New Zealand in a multi-day fixture to help the Black Caps warm up for their Test series against the English.
The fixtures will supplement a schedule which includes the Saltires' last CB40 campaign and eight days of action against both Kenya and Ireland.
Cycling
The Scot Andy Fenn is relishing the arrival of former world champion Mark Cavendish as a colleague at Omega Pharma QuickStep next season, writes Colin Renton. Fenn has made great progress in 2012, winning two stages at races in Spain and finishing runner-up on stages in the Tours of Denmark and Beijing. The 22 year old believes the arrival of Cavendish from Team Sky will have a positive impact on the Quickstep squad and could also help the Scot secure a place in one of the sport's three major events. "We're looking forward to having him on the team as we know he'll bring us results and take us up a level," said Fenn. "I hope to step up a level and maybe ride a Grand Tour as well."
hockey
The Aberdeen Asset Management Women's League table has a familiar look to it with Grove Menzieshill and Milne Craig Clydesdale Western in the top two places but CALA Edinburgh are threatening their hegemony while Edinburgh University and Dundee Wanderers are tucked in just behind the top three, writes Craig Madden.
Edinburgh University would move level with Western if they can win the meeting between the pair at Peffermill tomorrow, and Sam Judge's side could then go ahead of the Glasgow team when they play Grange on Sunday. Judge, the player/coach, hopes her charges can bounce back after last weekend's defeat by Grove.
Unbeaten Grove make the short trip to face Dundee Wanderers at the local High School and Ailsa Wylie, Grove's captain, is happy with the start to the season, reasoning that "a good mix of youth, new players and experience" is key to success.Wanderers will believe they can end the champions' unbeaten run with Vikki Bunce available regularly each week after her time down south with Great Britain last season.
CALA Edinburgh entertain Western Wildcats, second bottom despite some encouraging displays in the cup.
motocross
John Adamson, a 16-year-old from Paisley, wasted no time in making an impact on a new KTM SX250F bike, by winning a round of the TSSC Championship at Alloa – he scored three wins in as many races in the monoshock A class – before travelling to Cusses Gorse in Exeter for the final round of the British Youth Nationals where he recorded a third place, his best result of the season.
In his next event at Brampton he won the youth class in the Adult A races and, in the final race of the day, finished second in an adult field, a remarkable result for a youth on a bike half the size of the competition's. He will race the new bike in next year's British MXY2 and Scottish MX2 championships.
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