Sure to make the ring tremble: Hoppa to fight 183kg Butterbean

JOHN HOPOATE, who defended his national heavyweight title against arch rival Bob Mirovic on Thursday, is expected to fight super-sized American cult hero Eric "Butterbean" Esch.

Recalcitrant no more, Malaysians held close

AUSTRALIA'S sometimes fraught relationship with Malaysia is on the up. This week's visit to the country by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Foreign Minister Stephen Smith represents further consolidation of ties that have proved infinitely more neighbourly since the departure in 2003 of Malaysia's long-serving prime minister Mahathir Mohammed, a regional political figure who was famously hostile to Australian interests.

Relentless Federer near the summit

ROGER FEDERER has moved to within one victory of standing alone atop his sport's Mount Everest, following a comprehensive victory in his Wimbledon semi-final.