Hopkins secures historic victorySnapshot: Sushmita Sen walks the ramp with daughter Renee, looks awe-striking must visit

 Bernard Hopkins has become the oldest boxer to unify a weight division.

The 49-year-old added the WBA light-heavyweight crown to his IBF title with a points victory over 30-year-old Kazakh Beibut Shumenov.

A split-decision verdict - two scores of 116-111 in Hopkins' favour against 114-113 for the 30-year-old - did not reflect the American's dominance.

On the undercard, Shawn Porter retained his IBF belt with a fourth-round stoppage of Paulie Malignaggi.

Hopkins, who has not stopped an opponent in nearly a decade, could not finish off Shumenov but continued to defy the years in Washington.

Hopkins entered the ring wearing an alien mask

He came on strong from the third round onwards and knocked his opponent down with a punishing right in the 11th.

Shumenov climbed off the canvas but Hopkins, already the oldest man to win a recognised world title, got the nod from the judges after 12 rounds to take his career record to 55 wins from 65 fights, with six defeats, two draws and two no contests.

Earlier in the evening, undefeated American welterweight Porter, 26, retained his IBF belt by beating Malignaggi and could now face Britain's Kell Brook this summer.

Porter sent his 33-year-old opponent crashing through the ropes and on to the ring apron midway through the fourth round, prompting the referee to halt the contest.

Undefeated Brook, 27 is the mandatory challenger for the IBF belt.

View the original article here

Prince's NZ rugby victory over wife must visit

The Duke of Cambridge appeared to be delighted with his win The Duke of Cambridge sealed victory over his wife the Duchess of Cambridge when the couple coached opposing rugby teams during their tour of New Zealand.

The royal couple went head-to-head in a tag rugby tournament for youngsters in Dunedin, in the South Island.

The duke punched the air as he claimed victory in the final on Sunday - coming days after his wife beat him in a yacht race in Auckland.

And he teased his wife, mouthing to her "Next time, next time".

Baby speculation

Meanwhile, back in Britain the headlines in Sunday's papers focused on speculation the couple could be expecting a second child.

It came after a well-wisher who presented Prince William with a lace shawl for Prince George said she was encouraged to make a second baby gift.

Cynthia Read said the prince told her during their meeting in the town of Cambridge on Saturday: "You might have to make another one soon."

"The way William said it, it was like he was dropping a hint, letting me in on a secret," she said of their conversation.

The duke did not hide his delight after his team roared to success The players had competed in a day-long tag rugby tournament before lifting the cup

The trip to the city of Dunedin was the latest leg of the couple's 19-day tour, which will also take in Australia.

The final was played in front of thousands of cheering fans at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, following a day-long Rippa rugby tournament for five to seven-year-olds.

Rippa rugby is a non-contact form of the sport designed for primary school children, with players ripping a flag from the belt of an opponent instead of tackling them.

Prince William teased his wife over the win in their latest head-to-head during the tour The duchess gave plenty of encouragement to her team ahead of their match

The pair spoke at length with their respective teams ahead of the match and cheered them on from the sidelines. Afterwards, they presented medals to all of the teams involved.

Huriana Manuel, captain of the New Zealand women's rugby sevens team, joined the prince in supporting the winning Clutha team from the nearby town of South Otago.

"He brought something special to the team - he's lost a few competitions to his wife and he really wanted to win," she said.

"He said to the kids, 'Make sure you go out there and enjoy yourself', and the win followed from that."

Earlier, the royal couple attended a Palm Sunday service at the city's St Paul's Anglican Cathedral where they were greeted by crowds of well-wishers.

The duchess received a traditional Maori welcome called a "hongi" from five-year-old Mataawhio Matahaere Vieint at Dunedin International Airport The couple attended a Palm Sunday service at St Paul's Anglican Cathedral in Dunedin They were greeted by crowds of locals outside the service

They later flew to Queenstown, where they enjoyed one of the country's most popular tourist attractions - speeding along in a jet boat on the Shotover River.

Duchess of Cambridge said how nice it was to drink alcohol again, after abstaining during her pregnancy

The jet boats race along in water just a few inches deep, nip between trees and close to obstacles before veering away at the last minute.

The jet boat ride over the Shotover River is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions

The tour has so far seen the royals race yachts, attend a state reception and visit a parent and baby class with their son Prince George in New Zealand before they head to Australia later this month.

The trip is due to end on 25 April in Canberra.

View the original article here