Sports Shorts

Amir Khan has been made a clear favorite by British bookmakers in tomorrow night's WBA light-welterweight title fight against Dmitry Salita in Newcastle, England, but he is not resting on his laurels. "I know what people say, that it's tougher to keep hold of a title than to win one," the 22-year-old said yesterday. "I've trained like a challenger even though I'm the champion. I will go in like a challenger and fight like a challenger." Of his Orthodox Jewish opponent Khan said, "He's tough and doesn't give up, he's got a big heart in the ring." Salita replied simply by saying: "That beautiful WBA belt belongs to me." (Haaretz Sports Staff and Agencies)

Portsmouth has failed to pay some of its players' wages on time for the second time this season, the struggling Premier League club said in a statement yesterday. "The majority of the first team squad have not yet received their November salaries," it said. "A proportion of their wages will be paid [today], with the club's new owners working towards paying the remainder over the next few days." Languishing t the bottom of the league, the club is fighting to survive in the top division, still seven points adrift of the safety zone after 14 matches. The club fired manager Paul Hart last month, replacing him with former Chelsea manager Avram Grant. (Reuters)