Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Sports Briefs: Former boxing champ Arguello dies
By The Associated Press
Thursday, July 02, 2009 | No comments posted.
MANAGUA, Nicaragua — Alexis Arguello, who fought in one of boxing’s most classic brawls and reigned supreme at 130 pounds, was found dead at his home early Wednesday.
Coroners were conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Sandanista Party’s Radio Ya and other local media were reporting it appeared to be a suicide.
The La Prensa newspaper reported that Arguello — elected mayor of Nicaragua’s capital last year — was found with a gunshot wound to the chest.
The 57-year-old Arguello retired in 1995 with a record of 82-8 with 65 knockouts and was a champion in three weight divisions. He was perhaps best known for two thrilling battles with Aaron Pryor and fights with Ray Mancini, Bobby Chacon and Ruben Olivares.
Nicknamed “The Explosive Thin Man,” Arguello was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992, where flags were flying at half-staff in his honor Wednesday.
HORSE RACING
Mine That Bird will get a new jockey
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Calvin Borel is out as the rider of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.
The move comes after trainer Chip Woolley, Borel and the jockey’s agent could not agree on a long-term commitment.
Borel possibly could have been aboard the gelding for his next scheduled start at the $750,000 West Virginia Derby on Aug. 1. But Woolley said he wants someone committed to ride Mine That Bird through the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., in November.
PRO BASKETBALL
Parker back on court
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Candace Parker has returned to practice with the Los Angeles Sparks 11⁄2 months after giving birth to her first child.
However, coach Michael Cooper said it’s unlikely Parker would play when the team hosts Phoenix on Sunday.
Parker, last year’s league MVP and rookie of the year, had a daughter Lailaa on May 13. She’s married to Shelden Williams of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Parker went through a light workout that included shooting, ball handling and skill drills.
Taco Bell is NBA’s new fast food sponsor
NEW YORK — Taco Bell has replaced longtime sponsor McDonald’s as the NBA’s fast-food partner.
Taco Bell and the NBA have agreed on a four-year deal that includes ads for the fast-food chain on ABC, TNT and ESPN, NBA-themed promotions at Taco Bell’s 5,600 restaurants and NBA-themed advertising. Taco Bell will be the title sponsor for the All-Star Saturday Night Skills Challenge and an associate sponsor of the All-Star Jam Session.
The agreement ends the league’s 20-year partnership with McDonald’s.
GOLF
Small top PGA Pro
SANTA ANA PUEBLO, N.M. — Mike Small won the PGA Professional National Championship for the second time in five years, closing with a 3-under 68 for a one-stroke victory over Mark Sheftic and Steve Schneiter.
Small, the golf coach at the University of Illinois, had a 7-under 277 total to top the 20 qualifiers for the PGA Championship at Hazeltine.
Injury sidelines Creamer
SYLVANIA, Ohio — Defending champion Paula Creamer has withdrawn from the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic because of an injured left thumb.
Creamer was scheduled to tee off at 9:10 a.m. in today’s opening round along with five-time Farr winner Se Ri Pak and In-Kyung Kim. But she notified tournament director Judd Silverman that she was pulling out of the tournament.
Creamer also withdrew from last week’s LPGA tournament in Pittsford, N.Y., because of the injury. She saw a doctor Monday in suburban Toledo and received a cortisone shot. Unable to play a practice round, she played in the pro-am Wednesday.
Creamer hopes to play in next week’s U.S. Women’s Open at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa.
Coroners were conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Sandanista Party’s Radio Ya and other local media were reporting it appeared to be a suicide.
The La Prensa newspaper reported that Arguello — elected mayor of Nicaragua’s capital last year — was found with a gunshot wound to the chest.
The 57-year-old Arguello retired in 1995 with a record of 82-8 with 65 knockouts and was a champion in three weight divisions. He was perhaps best known for two thrilling battles with Aaron Pryor and fights with Ray Mancini, Bobby Chacon and Ruben Olivares.
Nicknamed “The Explosive Thin Man,” Arguello was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992, where flags were flying at half-staff in his honor Wednesday.
HORSE RACING
Mine That Bird will get a new jockey
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Calvin Borel is out as the rider of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.
The move comes after trainer Chip Woolley, Borel and the jockey’s agent could not agree on a long-term commitment.
Borel possibly could have been aboard the gelding for his next scheduled start at the $750,000 West Virginia Derby on Aug. 1. But Woolley said he wants someone committed to ride Mine That Bird through the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., in November.
PRO BASKETBALL
Parker back on court
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Candace Parker has returned to practice with the Los Angeles Sparks 11⁄2 months after giving birth to her first child.
However, coach Michael Cooper said it’s unlikely Parker would play when the team hosts Phoenix on Sunday.
Parker, last year’s league MVP and rookie of the year, had a daughter Lailaa on May 13. She’s married to Shelden Williams of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Parker went through a light workout that included shooting, ball handling and skill drills.
Taco Bell is NBA’s new fast food sponsor
NEW YORK — Taco Bell has replaced longtime sponsor McDonald’s as the NBA’s fast-food partner.
Taco Bell and the NBA have agreed on a four-year deal that includes ads for the fast-food chain on ABC, TNT and ESPN, NBA-themed promotions at Taco Bell’s 5,600 restaurants and NBA-themed advertising. Taco Bell will be the title sponsor for the All-Star Saturday Night Skills Challenge and an associate sponsor of the All-Star Jam Session.
The agreement ends the league’s 20-year partnership with McDonald’s.
GOLF
Small top PGA Pro
SANTA ANA PUEBLO, N.M. — Mike Small won the PGA Professional National Championship for the second time in five years, closing with a 3-under 68 for a one-stroke victory over Mark Sheftic and Steve Schneiter.
Small, the golf coach at the University of Illinois, had a 7-under 277 total to top the 20 qualifiers for the PGA Championship at Hazeltine.
Injury sidelines Creamer
SYLVANIA, Ohio — Defending champion Paula Creamer has withdrawn from the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic because of an injured left thumb.
Creamer was scheduled to tee off at 9:10 a.m. in today’s opening round along with five-time Farr winner Se Ri Pak and In-Kyung Kim. But she notified tournament director Judd Silverman that she was pulling out of the tournament.
Creamer also withdrew from last week’s LPGA tournament in Pittsford, N.Y., because of the injury. She saw a doctor Monday in suburban Toledo and received a cortisone shot. Unable to play a practice round, she played in the pro-am Wednesday.
Creamer hopes to play in next week’s U.S. Women’s Open at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa.
The comments below are from users of theworldlink.com and do not necessarily represent the views of The World or Lee Enterprises. Participation Guidelines
Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Not already registered?
The World welcomes your comments about stories, and we encourage a robust dialogue on this site. All comments must meet reasonable standards of decency and civility.
Please follow these basic rules:
- No defamatory comments about individuals or businesses.
- No deliberately false information.
- No obscenity or racially offensive language.
- No harassment, verbal abuse, threats or personal attacks.
- No information that invades another person's privacy.
- No business solicitations or charitable solicitations.
Comments that violate these standards will not be posted. Users with repeated violations may be banned from future posting.Comments will be approved throughout the day during business hours. After hours and weekend comments may not appear until the following business day. It may take a couple of hours before comments are approved.
The World generally does not edit comments, but we reserve the right to edit any comment that does not meet our standards.
Close Guidelines