LOS ANGELES: Trinidad and Tobago’s Fitz Vanderpool wants it known that as the WBC’s No 1 junior middleweight contender, he’s giving Fernando Vargas a great opportunity. That’s an interesting point of view considering Vargas will enter the ring tonight a prohibitive favourite. While Vargas will be fighting for the first time since losing his grudge match to Oscar De La Hoya last September, Vanderpool, who is based in Canada will be getting the biggest opportunity of a ten and a half year professional career. “They are taking me lightly, but that’s fine,” Vanderpool said. “I know what I’m capable of doing. I will take care of  business inside the ring. It’s the coming out of Fitz ‘The Whip’ Vanderpool.” The 10-round bout at the sold-out 6,700-seat Grand Olympic Auditorium will follow a 12-rounder between IBF junior featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao and unbeaten challenger Emmanuel Lucero.

“This has been the first real training camp that Fitz Vanderpool has ever had —- nine weeks locked up in a dungeon training,” manager Grant Phillips said. “He’s ready. We will win.” The 35-year-old Vanderpool, 24-4-4 with 13 knockouts, has won 16 of his last 17 fights, but hasn’t faced anyone close to the calibre of Vargas. “Those 16 guys, I can beat with this gut,” said Buddy  McGirt, hired recently as Vargas’ co-trainer, as he lifted his shirt. Vargas, 22-2 with 20 knockouts, has lost two of his last four bouts —- to Felix Trinidad and De La Hoya with at least one version of the world junior middleweight championship at stake. The 25-year-old Vargas is rated as the No 3 challenger to De La Hoya by the WBC —- behind Vanderpool and Shane Mosley. Vargas will be fighting in Southern California for the first time since making his pro debut in his hometown of Oxnard nearly five and a half years ago. “I feel like I have had a rebirth,” he said. “I’m going to be shaking and baking in the ring. People are going to see a different kind of fighter when I get in the ring. I’m going to be intelligent, not go out and be crazy. You’re going to see me putting punches together and doing a lot of moving in the ring.” Vargas was suspended nine months and fined US $100,000 for testing positive for steroids following the De La Hoya fight. Vargas says he thought he was taking nutritional supplements, not steroids. The winner probably will fight Javier Castillejo next. If Vargas beats Vanderpool and Castillejo, there’s a good possibility a fight with De La Hoya will follow. “The target date is next May for De La Hoya if all goes according to plan,” said Carl Moretti, vice president and matchmaker for Main Events.             

MANCHESTER: Carl Hooper’s Lan-cashire were denied any play — by rain — on the third day of the English County Championship match they are dominating against Warwickshire yesterday. Hooper scored 35 on Wednesday’s opening day and Lancashire piled up 575 for six declared on Thursday. Warwickshire were reeling at 192 for eight in reply at stumps with Ian Bell (48) the top scorer. Australian Stuart Law smashed an unbeaten 236 and Glen Chapple scored 132 in Lancashire’s total, and pacer Chapple returned to capture four for 43 to unsettle Warwickshire’s reply. Off-spinner Hooper, who replaced injured Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh as Lancashire’s overseas professional for the summer, claimed two wickets for 42 runs off 13 overs.

TOP Trinidad and Tobago bodybuilder Darrem Charles has put up his success on the international stage as an incentive for local musclemen. The United States-based Charles urged the growing body building fraternity yesterday to never give up on their dreams but to remain committed and focussd on their goals. “There is a rainbow at the end of the tunnel. But you must be prepared to work hard. It is a tough sport but nothing worth gaining ever comes easily,” said Charles. Charles, currently ranked No 9 among the world heavyweights was speaking at the Board Room of National Flour Mills (NFM), Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, yesterday at a media conference for the Eastern Caribbean Body Building and Fitness Championships. The contest, which has attracted seven overseas countries will be staged from 6 pm tonight at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya. Prejudging is from 10 am at which holders of the $100., tickets are allowed to view.

Charles, who has been invited to guest at the chmpionships, said he was delighted to be asked to return home and would have done so even if he had a previous commitment. “It means a lot to me to come back and try and give something to the sport. It makes me very happy to get the kind of recognition by my own people,” said a fit-looking Charles said. Also in attendance were Hayden Straker, acting president of the Body Building Federation; Andrew Stroude, second vice-president; and Richard Roberts, chairman of the Judges Committee.
Members of the TT team for the championships were also present. Roberts praised Charles as an excellent ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago and thanked him  for taking time from his busy schedule to return home and allow his local fans to see him at his best. He said Trinidad and Tobago stood an excellent chance of claiming the Eastern Caribbean Championship for the first time as the national team was prepared to take on any challenge.

Defending champions are St Lucia who won the contest two years ago at home. There was no tournament last year. At least 35 competitors from seven countries are here including St Maarten, Barbados, Antigua, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Anguilla and US Virgin Islands. Charles said he has been travelling extensively throughout the world recently winning a competition in Rome after performances in Dallas, New York, California, Houston and Canada. He said his immediate goal is to place among the top ten at the upcoming Mr Olympia competition in Las Vegas, which will be a first in his outstanding career. Charles said he is excellently poised to break this barrier as he is in peak physical condition and highly motivated. He also feels the judging of the body building competition is now working in his favour and will give him an opportunity to turn the tables on his more established opponents. “The judges are now looking favourably at the aesthetic appearance of the competitors and not the raw, gladiatorlike form as they have done,” said Charles. He said he has achieved much since his early days in Trinidad and Tobago and is only looking for the icing on the cake with a few more magazine covers to crown off his campaign on the world stage. Charles revealed that he is contracted to Weider Nurtition which owns “Flex” and “Muscle Fitness” magazines and is a regualr feature on their pages giving him entrance into millions of homes and gyms worldwide. He said his travelling around the world and steady income has made him happy and comfortable and urged local business houses to support bodybuilding.

Defending champion Trinidad and Tobago went to the  top of Group “B” with a sensational 3-1 victory over arch-rivals Netherland Antilles at the Fourth Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Junior Championships in Martinique. It was a magnificent allround performances by skipper Aisha Sealy (setter), Marina Camps (universal), Kelly-Ann Billingy (hitter/blocker), Danya Augustus (blocker), Nadiege Honore (outside hitter), Karina Moore (blocker) and Jenna Ferguson (libero). The hard-fought 20-25, 25-23, 25-12, 26-24 victory pushed TT to the semi-final round scheduled for today. It also gives the Calypso Girls a tremendous psychological boost of their chances of retaining the coveted Caribbean Junior crown. Caribbean’s number one attacker KellyAnn Billingy came up trumps once again with 21 kills but was frustrated with only six out of 14 attempts in the first set which the Dutch girls took at 20-25. Undaunted, the Glamorgan-club and Holy Name Convent student pounded her opponents at every conceivable opportunity.

But coach Macsood Ali made strategic changes which confounded the opposition as Nadiege Honore came into her own and executed superb blocks to finish with 11 successful forays. Newcomer Karina Moore and pint-sized versatile Marina Camps also responded to the challenge as libero Jenna Ferguson proved a tower of strength in the back court. Having distinguished herself as the best setter at both the junior and senior levels in the Caribbean, skipper Sealy was pivotal in feeding her hitters on both flanks as Trinidadians held their nerves and maintained their unbeaten record with the exciting 3-1 win.  Netherlands are TT’s main rivals for the title but today the twin-island smashers will be gunning for either Bahamas (Group “A” runners-up) or Aruba (Group “B” third-placed team) whichever qualifies for the “semis”. Bahamas finished second to Barbados in Group “A” when they whipped late-comer Jamaica 19-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-18. The Jamaicans still have a chance to redeem themselves but they will be up against 2001 CAZOVA runner-up Netherlands in the other quarter-final match-up today.
The Barbadians thrashed Mar-tinique 25-11, 25-12 and 25-12 and enjoyed the one-day rest like their Trinidadian counterparts who would be determined to smash their rivals out of their path as they seek their third lien on the trophy.

The homesters were due to take on newcomers Antigua and Barbuda in the play-off to decide seventh and eighth placed teams. While the TT girls were savouring their victory over Netherlands, the boys (Group “A” runner-up) were billed to tangle with arch-rivals Barbados (Group “B” third-placed team) in the quarter-finals. Sean Morrison and his Glamorgan clubmate Esil Seecharran along with Starlings power-blocker Mark Anthony Honore will be blazing away against the Bajans and whoever comes before them as they seek their first ever regional junior title. This is TT’s best chance of doing the double. OECS champion and necomer Dominica (Group “A” third placed team) was due to battle Group “A” runners-up Bahamas in the other quarter-final.

CAZOVA Junior Championships- Thursday Results:
FEMALE
Group “A”: BARBADOS beat Martinique 25-11, 25-12, 25-12.
Group “A”: BAHAMAS beat Jamaica 19-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-18.
Group “B”: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO beat Netherlands 20-25, 25-23, 25-12, 26-24.
Group “B”: ARUBA beat Antigua and Barbuda 25-16, 25-21, 25-11.
MALE
Group “B”: BAHAMAS beat Barbados 25-23, 27-25, 18-25, 32-30.
Group “B”: NETHERLAND ANTILLES beat Jamaica 25-23, 27-25, 25-19.

The Scalextric Mercedes CLK Endurance Cars National Championships get going at 1 pm today at the Long Circular Mall, St James with competition in three groups. The competition, organised by the Model Car Association of Trinidad and Tobago, features cars supplied by Sterling Service (Battoo Brothers) Limited. They are tuned by undisputed “Champion of Champions” Ramesh Bhola. New drivers are eligible to enter the races but must register between 1 and 2 pm today. Solo Beverages have sponsored the 5-14 group while Castrol GLX Motor Oil are offering prizes in the 15-75 and “Champion of Champions” groupings.

W CONNECTION will be looking to widen their gap with the chasing pack as the Under-15 and Under-17 divisions of the TT Pro League continue today. The runaway leaders are almost certain of snatching a further three points against the struggling Arima Fire outfits in this morning’s doubleheader, from 9 am, at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima. And victory for Connection will see the Southerners copping both divisional titles with two rounds of matches remaining. CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh, currently second in the Under-15s and fourth in the Under-17s, will travel to the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, to face South Starworld Strikers while Under-17 runners-up Joe Public will clash with Defence Force at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. The day’s other doubleheader is the South West Institute of Football (SWIF)-North East Stars matchup at Forest Reserve.

RESULTS (from July 19):
Under-15: W CONNECTION (3) vs STARWORLD STRIKERS (0); JOE PUBLIC (7) vs SWIF (0); SAN JUAN JABLOTEH (3) vs NORTH EAST STARS (0).
Under-17: W CONNECTION (2) vs STARWORLD STRIKERS (0); JOE PUBLIC (2) vs SWIF (1); SAN JUAN JABLOTEH (4) vs NORTH EAST STARS (1).

Cosmic Promotions and Phoenix Gym will continue to fan the local boxing fire when they stage a promising amateur boxing and kickboxing card tonight  at the Barrackpore Senior Comprehen-sive School from 7 pm. On the kickboxing tip, Nick Boodram from Phoenix will take on Balraj Harry of Zion (135 pounds).

Richard Boodram also of Phoenix will square up against Richi Ramnarine of Al Kilarie (132 pounds), Bradley Samdeo of Kalahari takes on Shazam Khan of Al Kilarie (140 pounds) and Phoenix fighter David Boopraj will face Fazal Ali of Panthers 120 pounds. The boxing card features three women bouts between Crystal Lessey of Phoenix against Adafie Hall of White Eagle (152 pounds); Leanna Boodram of Phoenix will take on Sand City pugilist Macelina Logie; and Kessie Lessey also Phoenix takes on Avalon Ollivierre (115 pounds). Manhau Noray of YTC and Joseph Straker fighting out of Sand City will be the only men’s fight on the boxing card. The aim of the regular cards is to make fighters better prepared and help them improve their ring craft.

SUGAR MIKE, Honor Bound and Beautiful Mind were allotted the topweight of 56.5 kilos in the three handicap events framed for the Arima Race Club Day 23 card at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, on Emancipation Day, August 1. The American-bred Sugar Mike has been assigned top impost in the President’s Cup, the main event on the holiday card. In the Grade One highlight, the Grant Lourenco inmate has been asked to hand out a minimum of  three kilos to Phantom Bidder and a maximum ten to Carnival Messiah, the 2001 triple crown winner. Also nicely weighted in the 1900 metres contest on the main course is last year’s Royal Oak Derby winner Millenium Reign and the vastly improved Dottie’s Way. Millenium Reign who upset the odds placed on Phantom Bidder in their last meeting earlier this month, will race with 50.5 kilos in his saddle bag, while his American-bred opponent Dottie’s Way who won an allowance contest with his head in the air two weeks ago, is set to race with 48 kilos.

Completing the cast of seven runners are Invincibility (52 kilos) and Golden Shufleur, who will be making his return after a long lay off, with 50 kilos. Honor Bound has been asked to tote his 56.5 kilos burden in the Restricted Handicap. The 1350 metres contest was best patronised of the trio of events with 18 entries, which more likely than not will see the Kenneth De Silva Jnr-trainee facing off against a full complement of 16 runners. Beautiful Mind heads the weights against eight West Indian bred three-year-old runners that have not won two races in their careers. In the 1200 metres race, last year’s Nursery Stakes winner will be handing out two kilos to Derby entrant Super Grey, while spotting Fantastic Lad 12 kilos.
Following are the framed races, entries and weights for the handicaps.

RACE 7: RESTRICTED HANDICAP – W.I BRED 3 Y.O & OVER WINNERS AND IMPORTED 3 Y.O & OVER – PURSE $21,000 – 1350 METRES.
1. HONOR BOUND – 56.5, 2. MANDELA – 55, 3. BITE DE BULLET – 54.5, 4. GAME HIGH – 53.5, 5. SPLITTING IMAGE – 53.5, 6. PIECE OF CAKE – 52.5, 7. MAID OF HONOUR – 51.5, 8. BAZODEE GAL – 50.5, 9. GAZA STRIP – 50, 10. BON VOYAGE – 49.5, 11. BAJAN CONNECTION – 49, 12. LIFE IN RUSSIA – 48.5, 13. SQUEEZED MOMENT – 48, 14. NEW STAR – 47.5, 15. RING DANG DO – 47, 16. SQUEE ZINTRU – 46.5, 17. KALYAN – 46.5, 18. EL GUERROUJ – 44.5.
RACE 8: W.I BRED 3 Y.O NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES IN CAREER – PURSE $18,000 – 1200 METRES.
1. BEAUTIFUL MIND – 56.5, 2. SUPER GREY – 54.5, 3. RETURN TO GLORY – 53.5, 4. SIR VIDIA – 49.5, 5. HYARIMA – 48.5, 6. HATRICK – 48.5, 7. SWEET LAURA LEE – 48, 8. FINEST GEM – 45.5, 9. FANTASTIC LAD – 44.5.
RACE 9: PRESIDENT’S CUP (GRADE 1) HANDICAP (OPEN 3 Y.O & OVER) – PURSE $75,000 – 1900 METRES.
1. SUGAR MIKE – 56.5, 2. PHANTOM BIDDER – 53.5, 3. INVINCIBILITY – 52, 4. MILLENIUM REIGN – 50.5, 5. GOLDEN SHUFLEUR – 50, 6. DOTTIE’S WAY – 48, 7. CARNIVAL MESSIAH – 46.

ST. JOHN’S: The West Indies Cricket Board are to submit a review of fast bowler Jermaine Lawson’s bowling action to the International Cricket Council by August 1, the board said yesterday. ICC match officials had reported the 21-year-old for a suspect bowling action during the fourth and final Test against Australia in Antigua in May. “Jermaine has been carrying along very well with the remedial programme in Jamaica,” said Michael Seepersaud, the regional board’s chief development officer, who is supervising the review process. “The back problems that set back the remedial work on his bowling action is now over, he’s free from pain, and substantial progress has been made to ensure his all’round biomechanical efficiency,” he added. Next week, the cricket board plan to fly in biomechanics specialist Dr Paul Hurrion from Britain to conduct an assessment of the way Lawson uses his elbow when bowling, the board said. 
        
“Dr Hurrion has worked in a similar capacity for the ICC with other bowlers and is highly recommended, so we are pleased to have him come and work with Jermaine,” Seepersaud said. “Once we have his analysis of Jermaine, we will convene the bowling committee and send our review to the ICC for their consideration.” Lawson has captured 29 wickets at 24.31 runs apiece in seven Tests. During the latest Test series against Australia, he distinguished himself with a hat-trick in the Third Test in Barbados and career-best figures of seven wickets for 78 runs in Antigua.