Burns eyeing unification bout

Boxing: Ricky Burns hopes to finally secure a world title unification fight after getting past British rival Nicky Cook tonight. The likeable Coatbridge fighter, 28, makes the third defence of his WBO super-featherweight title at Liverpool’s Echo Arena against former champion Cook before looking to move on to more global matters. He had hoped to face Mzonke Fana in the near future but the South African has been stripped of his IBF title having failed to make a defence. That leaves Burns’ options limited to Japan’s WBC champion Takahiro Ao and his countryman Takashi Uchiyama, the WBA champion, or the ’interim’ WBA title holder Jorge Solis.

Knowles wins

Golf: Alison Knowles was the winner of the Northern Ladies Close Championship Matchplay final held at Huddersfield golf club. Hickleton golfer Knowles defeated Pleasington’s Brogan Townend 4&2 in the final. Kirsty O’Connor was the winner of the Millennium Bowl final, the Nelson golfer won the final 2&1 beating Gemma Clews (Delamere Forest).

American joins

Rugby League: An American based in Belgrade has become a director of the Rugby League European Federation. Christen Farmer, a business and media consultant, and Richard Graham, a senior executive within the professional sports sector, join chairman Richard Lewis, vice-chairman Nicolas Larrat and fellow directors Graeme Thompson and Nebojsa Sretenovic on an expanded six-man board.

Cockayne out

Rugby League: Hull KR have parted company with utility player Ben Cockayne by mutual consent after his latest brush with authority. The 27-year-old was suspended by the Super League club a fortnight ago pending investigations into an incident involving team-mate Liam Watts. That came just six weeks after he was given a final warning.

Turnbull on top

ATHLETICS: Holmfirth Harrier David Turnbull was the club’s sole representative at the Catforth 10k and came away a winner. Turnbull attacked from the start of the two-lap the race and kept the pressure on to finish in first place in a personal best time of 31 minutes 40 seconds in a new course record. Second place went to Matt Moorehouse, from Salford Harriers, in 32.41 and Iain Quinn, from Barrow in Furness Striders, was third in 32.53. First in the women’s race was Susan Partridge, from Leeds City, also a ladies course record time of 33.59.