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 | | A prince without a crown
Naseem Hamed was the undisputed star of British boxing. Then, in 2001, he lost his first fight. Today he is a near recluse who trains alone in his gym and dedicates himself to Islam. The star's family and former friends told acclaimed author Jonathan Rendall why the prince may never box again.
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50 best sporting books
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 | | Knockout prose
Nominate your favourite sports books and enter the draw to win 250 pounds worth of Borders book tokens.
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Brits abroad
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Beckham and Owen in Madrid aren't the only sporting Britons seeking fame and fortune overseas. Meet the football European Cup winner coaching Indonesia, the rugby World Cup star in the Pyrenees, the female snooker-champ-turned-pool-sensation in the States and the Englishman who is France's answer to Alan Hansen.
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'It was the best thing I ever did'
Brits abroad: Allison Fisher in the US
Dan Luger in France
Michael Robinson in Spain
Darren Tulett in France
Ed Smith in India
Peter Withe in Indonesia
Steve Nicol and Paul Mariner in the US
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'It was like living in a foreign country'
Brits back home: Ian Rush rebuts his Italian myth.
Ian Botham's Australian trip
Paul Gascoigne's Asian episode
British golfers target the States
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Football
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He's in with a shout
Shaun Wright-Phillips, a £20 million transfer target, is the most exciting young English player in the Premiership this season. He tells Paul Wilson he's relaxed about competing with David Beckham for a place in the national side.
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Road to perdition
Peerlessly sublime in his prime, Maradona remains an icon in Argentina, no matter how far he plunges in his fall from grace. By John Carlin.
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Fell running
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The joy of pain
Why would any intelligent person risk injury and even death to take up fell running? Because, says acclaimed author Richard Askwith, it offers rare freedom and escape from the chains of urban life.
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Star style
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Suits you, Sir
From the horrors of the sheepskin to Malcolm Allison's fedora, managerial fashion has known more lows than highs. We asked Polly Vernon, The Observer's resident style expert, to assess, in the spirit of Heat magazine, the good, the bad and the Iain Dowie from this season's Premiership.
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Horse racing
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Tim Sprake
Triumph and despair: He was an up-and-coming jockey until his car crash in 1999. Now, after serious head injuries, he will ride again.
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Tennis
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Heroes & Villains
He had power, ruthlessness and not a shred of grace - and seemed unbeatable. Nicholas Clee celebrates Jimmy Connors's 1975 humbling by Arthur Ashe and eclipse by the genius of John McEnroe.
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Rugby
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The Insider
After three seasons playing American football in the Seventies, Dave Alred returned to the UK as a kicking coach in rugby league and union. He now works with Jonny Wilkinson and is a key member of the England coaching set-up.
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Comment
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We've never had it so good
For 30 years, I have followed the England cricket team with a passion bordering on an obsession. My mood fluctuates wildly with their fortunes, writes Leo McKinstry.
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Regulars
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The ten sporting love matches
Our choice of the best love doubles.
Rationale: Lee Honeyball justifies his choice
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Book of the month
Sometimes I Forgot To Laugh by Peter Roebuck.
DVD reviews
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First and last
Ireland rugby player Keith Wood.
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Numbers game
Sport in digits
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On the nose
Bets of the month.
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The day I met...
...Viv Richards.
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Letters
Your say
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The gadget
Big Bertha 454
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December 2007