Nike Terminate Pacquiao Relaltionship

Nike has terminated its relationship with Manny Pacquiao after the six-weight world champion described homosexuals as "worse than animals".

The 37-year-old, who is running for a senate seat in his native Phillipines, later apologised for his comments.

"We find Manny Pacquiao's comments abhorrent," said a Nike statement.

"Nike strongly opposes discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting and standing up for the rights of the LGBT community."

The sportswear company added: "We no longer have a relationship with Manny Pacquiao."

Pacquiao's original remark was made in a television interview and he initially appeared unrepentant, writing on Instagram that he was "just telling the truth of what the Bible says".

However, he later wrote on Facebook he was "not condemning LGBT", while still voicing his opposition for gay marriage.

Pacquiao, whose last fight was a defeat by Floyd Mayweather in May, is due to fight American Timothy Bradley Jr in Las Vegas in April.

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Kerber Wunderbar in Melbourne

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Angelique Kerber stunned world number one Serena Williams in three sets to win her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

Kerber, seeded seventh, won a thrilling final 6-4 3-6 6-4 at Melbourne Park.

The 28-year-old is the first German to win a major singles title since Steffi Graf at the 1999 French Open.

Williams, 34, was beaten for just the fifth time in 26 Grand Slam finals, and the American missed the chance to tie Graf's open-era record of 22 titles.

Kerber, who saved a match point in her first-round win over Misaki Doi, will move up to number two in the world rankings.

Kerber had won just one of six previous matches against Williams and was making her Grand Slam final debut, but she was the better player over two hours and eight minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

She led Williams in the ace count until the latter stages, limiting her to just seven overall, while the American racked up 46 errors to just 13 by Kerber.

Williams made 23 mistakes in the first set alone - sparking memories of her desperately nervous display in losing to Roberta Vinci at the US Open last September - and Kerber took full advantage to claim it after 39 minutes.

However, the defending champion cut her error count to just five in the second set and claimed it thanks to a single break in game four.

Kerber twice moved ahead in the decider and a stunning sixth game saw the German produce two fine drop shots and win a breathtaking 19-stroke rally to cling on to her serve and edge closer to victory.

Nerves took hold and she was broken while serving for the match, but she launched into the Williams serve once again and clinched the title when the world number one sent a volley long.

Kerber said afterwards that being able to say she was a Grand Slam champion "sounds crazy".

"It's my dream come. I worked for this my whole life," said the German.

"It's been such an up and down two weeks, I was match point down in the first round and had one foot in the plane to Germany.

"Now I have beaten Serena and won the championship. I have so many emotions, so many thoughts, but all of them good ones."

Williams was gracious in defeat, telling Kerber: "Angie, congratulations. You deserve this and I'm so happy for you. I really hope you enjoy this moment."

The runner-up added: "Would I give my performance an A? No, but this is all I could produce.

"I'm not a robot. I do the best that I can. I try to win every point but realistically I can't. Maybe someone else can."

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Matthew Hobden #RIP

Sussex cricketer Matthew Hobden has died at the age of 22.

In a statement, the club said it was "deeply shocked and saddened". The cause of death has not been given.

Born and educated in Eastbourne, seam bowler Hobden made his first-class debut in 2014 and represented Sussex in all formats of the game.

England's lead fast bowling coach Kevin Shine said: "His potential was huge. He was improving rapidly and I'm certain that he would have played for England."

England's players are wearing black armbands on day two of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town on Sunday as a mark of respect for Hobden, who made his final appearance in a one-day match against Essex last August.

He took 23 wickets at an average of 47.30 in 10 County Championship Division One games last season.

A Sussex statement read: "Matthew was an exciting young cricketer with a big future ahead of him in the game.

"He was a fantastic individual who had progressed through Sussex's Youth and Academy ranks, having been born locally in Eastbourne.

"Sussex would like to offer their deepest condolences to Matthew's family and friends at this difficult time."

Angus Porter, chief executive of the Professional Cricketers' Association, said: "Matt was a young seamer with immense potential.

"The PCA will work closely with Sussex to ensure that their players and coaching staff are supported during this difficult period for the club."

Former England and Sussex wicketkeeper and batsman Matt Prior wrote on Twitter: "One of those days when u get a call that puts perspective on things. Live life and love everyday as much as you can! So sad! #RIPhobsy"

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said it was "shocked and saddened" by the news.

A right-arm bowler, Hobden was selected for the Potential England Performance Programme for the past two winters.

"As a player, I remember the first time I saw him just thinking 'wow'," added Shine. "He was the strongest, most powerful cricketer I've ever seen on that programme.

"He contributed to the group as much as I've ever seen a player contribute. All the lads, and the staff, loved him."

#RIPPhobsy

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76ers Win to Spoil Kobe Visit

The 76ers ended a 28-game losing streak that dated back to last season, dispensing with the visiting Los Angeles Lakers by a 103-91 score in future Hall of Famer Bryant's last appearance in Philly. It was the first win for the Sixers since March 25 at Denver.

"Finally," forward Nerlens Noel said.

Coach Brett Brown's team has long languished at the bottom of the NBA standings and has reeled off two losing streaks of at least 26 games in his three seasons. For one night, in front of a sellout crowd of 20,510 that came to cheer Bryant, the streaks hardly mattered.

"I'm pleased for the city," Brown said. "We don't want this streak continuing."

Hours earlier, Bryant felt the love in Philadelphia as soon as he entered the arena.

He took selfies with fans who might never see him play again, and his presence injected a playoff atmosphere into a city that has lost much of its passion for NBA basketball.

With a packed crowd standing and roaring in appreciation, Bryant was lauded like a hometown hero, not the "Hometown Zero" he once was labeled in Philadelphia tabloids.

Bryant, who will end his 20-year career this season, opened the first leg of his farewell tour in his hometown and was feted with the kind of reverence and gratitude normally reserved for a Sixers great.

"I wasn't expecting that type of reaction -- ovation," he said. "Deeply appreciative beyond belief. It was really, really special."

Playing with the shot selection of a pickup artist, Bryant tried to deliver a special performance in his finale. He buried a step-back 3-pointer off the opening tip. He hit another 3 on the next possession.

Bryant made it 3-for-3 and had the Philly crowd chanting "M-V-P!" as he turned back the clock to his championship form.

"It was a little spurt of old-school Kobe," Noel said.

Bryant said he could tell the start made the Sixers a little starstruck -- most were babies when he started his career.

"I could sense they were like, 'I really don't want to touch him.' ... 'Is this going to be an 81 type of situation?'" Bryant said. "I'm just playing possum because I know my legs ain't going to carry this energy for 48 minutes."

Bryant scored 20 points on 7-of-26 shooting and made four three-pointers

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