In my corner: the boxing wrap

Boxer Lucas Browne during a break from training at Grange Old School gymnasium near Camden. Source: News Limited

AUSTRALIA'S two top heavyweight destroyers Alex Leapai and Lucas Browne are on a collision course - but not this week.

Browne was due to fight giant Englishman Richard Towers on Fox Sports this Thursday night but a mad scramble started today for a new opponent after Towers was ruled out because of visa problems.

Australian authorities refused to grant a visa to the undefeated 203cm (6ft 8in) slugger at the last moment because of Towers' lengthy criminal history.

Leapai's trainer Noel Thornberry said his fighter was already plotting Browne's downfall but wanted the fight late in the year.

Thornberry told me this morning: "Alex can't take the Browne fight on a few days' notice because we are already contracted to fight in China on August 5 and in New Zealand on August 31.

"But Lucas will feel Alex's power soon enough. Main Event are looking at matching Lucas and Alex in a pay-per-view later in the year and it will be a cracking fight between the hardest punchers in the country."

Leapai said he hoped Browne scored a spectacular knockout on Thursday against the replacement opponent.

"I want Lucas to win and win big," Leapai said. 

"I want him to be at his very best when we fight.

"Lucas is a big, strong man and he's shown how tough he is fighting in the MMA.

"But he's never met anyone who can hit like me."

Thursday's fight card also features Australia's top light-heavyweight Blake Caparello against tough and crafty Kiwi Daniel MacKinnon and super-middleweight sensation Jake Carr against the world-class Serge Yannick.

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TWO of Australia's rising stars were in action  recently, scoring impressive wins.

Brisbane-based London Olympian Cameron Hammond returned to his hometown of Moree to score a sixth-round stoppage over Kane Buckley. It was Hammond's third straight win since turning pro.

Hammond's local newspaper, The Moree Champion, said the roof of the local Memorial Hall was almost lifted by cheers for the young hero.

On the Gold Coast, super-middleweight Rohan Murdock scored the best win of his career when he stopped Les Piper in round 10 at the Southport Sharks Club.

Piper had recently taken WBA No.3 Jarrod Fletcher the 10-round distance.

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AUSTRALIA'S former world featherweight champion Johnny Famechon was on hand to induct five fighting greats into the Queensland Boxing Hall of Fame on the weekend.

Olympian Shane Knox, former world-class professionals Paul Moore and Ernie Artango, long-time amateur coach Boyd Scully and promoter/trainer Ron Ward were all honoured at the ceremony at the Showmen's Club at Yatala.

Knox fought at the 1984 Olympics and compiled an unblemished pro record of 16 wins in 16 fights before becoming a highly regarded trainer at the Fortitude Valley PCYC.

I was in his corner from 1984 to 1987.

Among the guests at the function were Athol McQueen, who decked Joe Frazier at the 1964 Olympics, heavyweight great Steve Aczel, Noel Kunde, who fought Johnny Famechon,  Lionel Rose, and Jeff White, who beat Rose.

Former world title challenger Darren Obah and the great Hector Thompson, who gave Roberto Duran one of his toughest fights, were also special guests.

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BRISBANE-BASED Irishman Paddy Murphy (yep, it's his real name) was held to a draw by welterweight Peter McDonagh in his return to Ireland.

Murphy's trainer Gareth Williams says his boxer was ripped off on the scorecards at the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk.

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I WILL be in Melbourne on August 2 as a guest speaker at the Australian Boxing Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Crown Casino where Jeff Fenech will be inducted as a Legend of the sport.

Proud to say that Jeff never lost a fight with me in his corner, compiling a record of 28-0, 10 of them world title bouts.

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RISING English star Kell Brook, who was given a tough fight by Sydney's Lovemore Ndou in 2011, scored an impressive stoppage of American Carson Jones in Hull last week.

Brook, the No.1 contender for the IBF welterweight title, was held to a close decision by Jones last year but turned on a power surge to stop him in Round 8 of the rematch.    

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RUSSIAN-BORN WBO super-middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz scored a one-sided 10th round technical decision over No.10 rated Yuzo Kiyota in Dresden, Germany. 

Stieglitz holds a points win over Sydney's Nader Hamdan.

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BIG-MOUTH WBA welterweight champ Adrien Broner has shown he is a grub in every sense.

The cashed-up big noter posted a video of himself recently, allegedly sitting on a restaurant toilet flushing money and other things.

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Hawks march on

Hawks march on ... Jarryd Roughead beats Michael Talia in the aerial battle. Source: CHRIS CRERAR / AAP

HAWTHORN skipper Luke Hodge kicked a 65-metre goal and Jarryd Roughead reached his half-century of majors for the season as the Hawks beat the Western Bulldogs by 19 points on Saturday.

Ladder leaders Hawthorn improved their win-loss record to 14-2 with a 13.17 (95) to 11.10 (76) victory at Launceston's Aurora Stadium, with Coleman Medal contender Roughead booting three goals to take his tally for 2013 to 50.

4.6 (30)	Q1	2.3 (15)
6.9 (45)	Q2	3.7 (25)
7.12 (54)	Q3	5.9 (39)
13.17 (95)	Q4	11.10 (76)

Jarryd Roughead 3	Luke Dahlhaus 2
Luke Hodge 2	Tory Dickson 2
Jordan Lewis 2	Daniel Giansiracusa 2
Jonathan Simpkin 2	Ryan Griffen 2
Luke Breust 1	Dylan Addison 1
Paul Puopolo 1	Jarrad Grant 1
Cyril Rioli 1	Liam Jones 1
Brendan Whitecross 1

The Bulldogs suffered their 12th loss from 16 outings but finished strongly by kicking the last four goals of the match after trailing by 44 points at the 24-minute mark of the final term.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	16	14	0	2	141.00	56
2	Geelong	15	13	0	2	132.74	52
3	Essendon	16	13	0	3	131.40	52
4	Sydney	15	11	1	3	142.20	46
5	Fremantle	15	11	1	3	126.27	46
6	Richmond	15	10	0	5	116.69	40
7	Collingwood	15	10	0	5	109.40	40
8	Carlton	16	8	0	8	110.64	32
9	Port Adelaide	15	8	0	7	108.89	32
10	West Coast	15	7	0	8	107.08	28
11	North Melbourne	16	6	0	10	114.76	24
12	Adelaide	15	6	0	9	102.46	24
13	Brisbane	15	6	0	9	80.33	24
14	Gold Coast	15	5	0	10	89.02	20
15	Bulldogs	16	4	0	12	76.90	16
16	St Kilda	15	3	0	12	83.14	12
17	Melbourne	15	2	0	13	53.98	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	16	0	0	16	50.82	0

The highlight came in the second term. With his side only 15 points ahead at the 23-minute mark, Hodge kicked a classic captain's goal.

The 2008 Norm Smith Medallist smothered a kick by Ryan Griffen and booted the ball forward with an old-fashioned torpedo punt which sailed through the goals on the first bounce.

Hawthorn led by 15 points at quarter-time and 20 points at halftime - 6.9 to 3.7 - as both sides struggled for accuracy in the windy conditions.

The battling Bulldogs dug their claws in during the third term and outscored Hawthorn two goals to one to trail by 15 points at three-quarter time.

Four consecutive goals in the first nine minutes of the final term - including two to sub Jonathan Simpkin who came off the bench in the last quarter - extended Hawthorn's margin to 41 points.

Hodge added a second goal to cap a fine performance as the Hawks scored six goals in the last quarter, but the Bulldogs also kicked six including a second goal to Griffen who had a game-high 37 possessions.

Adam Cooney was also prominent for the Bulldogs while Hodge, Jordan Lewis and Isaac Smith were good contributors for the Hawks.

Small forward Cyril Rioli was held to seven disposals by Bulldogs' tagger Liam Picken.

Hawthorn will hope to regain stars Lance Franklin (knee) and Sam Mitchell (ill) for Friday night's MCG clash with Essendon while the Bulldogs will host West Coast at Etihad Stadium on July 28.

Click here to get all of the stats and scores in the FOX FOOTY Match Centre.

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Petero's magic Origin eight ball

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Queensland great Petero Civoniceva. Picture: Sam Ruttyn Source:The Daily Telegraph

QUEENSLAND State of Origin legend Petero Civoniceva says it will take a dominant performance from Johnathan Thurston for the Maroons to secure an unprecedented eight straight series victories.

With the gap between the states never as close as it is now, Civoniceva believes should the five-eighth produce a man of the match performance at ANZ Stadium, the series is his for the taking.

"He was notably quiet in that first game, second game it was a dominant performance from him which really helped steer Queensland around the park," Civoniceva told foxsports.com.au.

"I think he is going to have a very important role again come three."

Having produced a quiet performance in the series opening 14-6 loss before lifting his game for the 26-6 victory in Origin II, Civoniceva is confident the man known as "JT" has room for improvement come game three.

"He is definitely leading the direction of the team and no doubt Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk will play their part in that but when he's at his best it's no secret Queensland tend to always seem to have success," he said. 

"It's going to be another big game for him to lift in what is an important game."

Civoniceva believes Thurston's record 27 consecutive Origin matches for the Maroons have played a key role in inspiring his side to perform.

"Since Darren Lockyer has moved on the team is stacked full of great leaders but him being there from the very start is a huge inspiration to the rest of the Queensland team," he said.

"He is a very important part of why Queensland have been successful."

If New South Wales are to do the unthinkable and clinch this year's Origin series, freeing themselves from Queensland's Origin stranglehold, it will be a master class performance from rookie James Maloney, Civoniceva says.

"The opposite side to Thurston will really need to stand up and similarly to Thurston's first game, the other half's attacking game was nullified by the defensive effort from the Queenslanders," he said.

"He needs to steer the NSW attack and inspire them to get over the Queenslanders."

While Wednesday night marks just Maloney's third Origin match in what is his first series, Civoniceva says winning the Blues an Origin series is a task Maloney is capable of delivering on.

"It is (a big ask) but I wouldn't put it past him," he said. 

"He is made for Origin and that is the great thing I love about his game. He is a tough player and for him to stand-up in this game won't be an issue for him.

"There is a huge weight on the shoulders of the (Blues) forward pack. If they can get that momentum like they did in game one that will be an important key to him being successful on the night."

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Pav offered three, Embley two

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Banned ... Matthew Pavlich offered three weeks by the AFL's match review panel. Source: THERON KIRKMAN / AAP

GEELONG forward Steve Johnson is facing suspension again, offered a one-match penalty for misconduct.

And Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich was hit with a three-game ban for a front-on bump.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	15	13	0	2	141.97	52
2	Geelong	15	13	0	2	132.74	52
3	Essendon	15	12	0	3	130.19	48
4	Sydney	15	11	1	3	142.20	46
5	Fremantle	15	11	1	3	126.27	46
6	Richmond	15	10	0	5	116.69	40
7	Collingwood	15	10	0	5	109.40	40
8	Port Adelaide	15	8	0	7	108.89	32
9	Carlton	15	7	0	8	111.45	28
10	West Coast	15	7	0	8	107.08	28
11	North Melbourne	15	6	0	9	116.05	24
12	Adelaide	15	6	0	9	102.46	24
13	Brisbane	15	6	0	9	80.33	24
14	Gold Coast	15	5	0	10	89.02	20
15	Bulldogs	15	4	0	11	76.71	16
16	St Kilda	15	3	0	12	83.14	12
17	Melbourne	15	2	0	13	53.98	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	15	0	0	15	49.95	0

Johnson, playing his first game back after a two-games suspension for rough conduct, can't reduce his penalty for kneeing Melbourne's Nathan Jones due to his poor record.

He will miss Sunday's away game against Adelaide until he can successfully fight the latest charge at the AFL Tribunal tomorrow night.

Pavlich and West Coast's Andrew Embley were the casualties from Sunday's Derby in the west.

The Dockers skipper, just starting back after injury, was outed for two games for his clumsy head-on contact with Eagle defender Mitch Brown.

Embley, also resuming from suspension, now has to sit out the next two rounds for rough conduct against Docker Clancee Pearce unless he can beat his charge.

Hawthorn has lost midfielder Shaun Burgoyne for two matches for rough  conduct against Port Adelaide's Tom Logan and Sydney's Ben McGlynn was outed for three matches for striking Giants Tom Scully.

Port Adelaide's Kane Cornes's six-year good record saved him from a heavier penalty for rough conduct against Hawk Sam Mitchell. He was offered a one-match ban.

Hawk Jordan Lewis narrowly escaped the AFL match review panel's carnage, able to accept a reprimand for striking Power Chad Wingard.

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Thunderbirds are go for title

Natalie von Bertouch ... leads the Thunderbirds to a second ANZ Championship title. Source: Simon Cross / News Limited

THE Queensland Firebirds giant killing run has finally come to an end as the Thunderbirds claimed their second ANZ Championship title in Adelaide.

Queensland's gas tank ran out in the side's fourth consecutive match on the road, with the Adelaide Thunderbirds deserving victors in the 50-48 grand final win, the closest decider in the six-year history of the Trans-Tasman Netball League competition.

The Firebirds were fearless and fought to the end but were ultimately undone by the game breaking skills of Erin Bell and Thunderbirds captain Natalie von Bertouch.

Bell found another gear in the second half and von Bertouch helped turn the tide with a handful of brilliant feeds into the attacking circle.

Cheered on by a sellout crowd of 9000 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, the home side appeared to have the match sewn up when they led by six goals at the final change.

The Firebirds had at least one burst of energy left, and trimmed the margin by scoring three of the first four goals in the deciding quarter.

Adelaide regained control, and fittingly it was Bell who sank the final goal.

Coach Roselee Jencke stuck by the same starting seven who steered the Firebirds through two sudden death matches on the way to the grand final.

Demelza McCloud was entrusted to stand Thunderbirds goal attack Erin Bell who was in line to become the first player to feature in three championship sides.

But Bell and her shooting partner Carla Borrego were outpointed in the first term by Firebirds pair McCloud and Laura Geitz.

Queensland pressure yielded several turnovers inside Adelaide's attacking third, while youngsters Kim Ravaillion and Gabi Simpson took the battle to experienced Thunderbirds midcourters Natalie von Bertouch and Emily Beaton.

The Firebirds' four-goal quarter-time lead was quickly gobbled up by the minor premiers.

Rebecca Bulley completely shut down Natalie Medhurst, while a couple of classy touches from von Bertouch helped the Thunderbirds to a 24-23 lead at halftime.

Both skippers spoke to the umpires at the long break, first von Bertouch, then Geitz, as the contest promised to become even more physical in the second half.

The third quarter belonged to Bell.  Queensland sent Jacinta Messer onto the floor, but despite the extra attention the former Swift stepped up with some long range shots that helped Adelaide to a six-goal lead at the final change.

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Hot Dogs slam starless Storm

Bulldogs Krisnan Inu in action during the Canterbury Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

THE Bulldogs have belted an under-strength Storm to reclaim a spot in the NRL top eight but not before another refereeing controversy marred the grand final rematch.

8 Tries 0
Sam Perrett 12'
Mitch Brown 24'
Tim Lafai 40'
Sam Perrett 48'
Tony Williams 52'
Mitch Brown 55'
Sam Perrett 64'
Ben Barba 75'
3 Conversions 0
Trent Hodkinson 49'
Trent Hodkinson 54'
Trent Hodkinson 77'
1 Field Goals 0
Trent Hodkinson 80'

The Bulldogs raced in eight tries to nil with Sam Perrett crossing for a hat-trick and Mitch Brown a double in the comprehensive 39-0 victory.

Ben Barba wrapped up the big win with a wonderful try in the dying minutes that Josh Reynolds played a vital hand in as the five-eighth finished with a man-of-the-match performance after returning from NSW Origin camp.

It was the first time the Storm have been held scoreless since the 2008 grand final and it was a vital win for the Bulldogs who snapped two straight losses to get their top eight charge back on track.

The Bulldogs were never really in any danger against the Storm side without their Origin stars but any chance of a second-half comeback was still destroyed when Reynolds illegally tackled Justin O'Neill to deny a possible try in the 43rd minute when the Bulldogs lead was only 12-0.

O'Neill swooped on a loose ball near his own tryline and after toeing the ball twice O'Neill was leading the chase for a possible try when Reynolds ripped him down by the jumper from behind.

It was a clear case of a professional foul and Reynolds should have been sent to the sin-bin but referee Alan Shortall inexcusably allowed him to stay on the field after Shortall determined a penalty to the Storm was sufficient.

Minutes later Perrett raced 90 metres to score an intercept try that blew the margin out to 18-0 and from there the Bulldogs cut loose.

The big win could have been by even more if Trent Hodkinson had his radar boot on target after he landed three of eight conversions.

The Bulldogs ran the Storm ragged in the first half to race in three tries but still only went to the break ahead 12-0.

Hodkinson missed all three first half conversion attempts and Canterbury had a further two tries disallowed in the opening half.

Reynolds laid the platform for the opening try.

He booted a booming 40-20 kick and then backed that up with a lovely ball to Krisnan Inu who sent Perrett crashing over in the 12th minute.

The Dogs second try came off a pinpoint crossfield bomb from Hodkinson who exposed the Storm's up-and-in defence as Mitch Brown dived over in the left corner.

Tim Lafai was held up in the 37th minute but two minutes later scored just before the break to take the lead out to 12-0.

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