LAS VEGAS - Sitting in a postfight news conference after losing to James Toney, Evander Holyfield tried to explain why he should keep fighting at his advanced age.
Holyfield offered no excuses or protests after his corner threw in the towel in the ninth round Saturday night when Toney was hitting him with every punch he threw. But he refused to acknowledge that, two weeks shy of his 41st birthday, he has neither the reflexes nor skills to continue as a heavyweight contender.
"No, I'm not going to retire," Holyfield said. "I'm going back to the drawing board."
Longtime trainer Don Turner told Holyfield before the ninth round began he would stop the fight if the beating continued. When Holyfield was knocked down with a left to the body at 1:42 of the ninth round, Turner climbed on the ring apron to save the former four-time heavyweight champion from more punishment.
Holyfield, who had won two of his past seven fights before meeting Toney, said he spent too much time thinking in the ring about what he was going to do and not enough time actually doing it.
COLLEGES: UF men win; women 2nd
The Florida men's golf team won its second tournament of the season, shooting 7-under 281 in the Carpet Capital Collegiate in Dalton, Ga. The Gators (853) topped defending national champion Clemson by four. The UF women (899) were second at the Franklin Street Partners Invitational in Chapel Hill, N.C., behind Duke (850). Bradenton's Naree Song (222) and Tarah McNaughton (226) finished 10th and 15th, respectively.
USF's women finished ninth at the Wildcat Fall Invitational hosted by Kentucky, 45 behind champion Vanderbilt (926). Freshman Daniella Ronderos (235), who tied for ninth, led the Bulls.
MEN'S TENNIS: Florida freshman Martin Stiegwardt advanced to the qualifying round in singles, and Vlad Obradovic and Trey Johnson advanced in doubles at the ITA All-America Championships in Chattanooga, Tenn. ... USF's Freddy Barton lost to UCF's Ener Gursoy 6-4, 6-2 in the semis of the USF Fall invitational.
VOLLEYBALL: Nova Southeastern beat visiting Saint Leo 3-1. Allison Baker led the Lions with 20 kills.
WOMEN'S SOCCER: Florida State fell 3-2 to host Virginia, which scored with 27 seconds left.
HORSES: Ruler's Court romps
Ruler's Court set a stakes record with a 14-length victory in the $250,000 Norfolk for 2-year-olds at Santa Anita. The win boosted Ruler's Court to the top of the contenders list for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Oct. 25. Ruler's Court paid $11.80, $7.20 and $5. Avanzado captured the $156,625 Ancient Title Handicap, a BC Sprint prep, returning $19.60, $6.40 and $3.80.
KEENELAND: Take Charge Lady held off You by a head to repeat as champion of the Grade I Overbrook Spinster Stakes. The 4-year-old became the fourth to win twice, joining Bornastar (1957, 1958), Susan's Girl (1973, 1975) and Bayakoa (1989, 1990). Take Charge Lady, with Edgar Prado aboard, paid $3, $2.10 and $2.10.
EUROPEAN RACE: French Derby winner Dalakhani won the $1.8-million Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Europe's most prestigious race. The 3-year-old colt won 1.1-million.
NBA: Utah top Mavs in Mexico
Utah rallied for a 90-85 victory over local favorite Eduardo Najera and the Mavericks in a preseason game in Mexico City. Najera, the only Mexican in the league, finished with eight points and three rebounds. The Jazz had nine turnovers in the third quarter and trailed 68-59 entering the fourth before the comeback. It was the 16th league game played in Mexico City but first since 2000.
RODMAN RETURN?: The Nuggets are considering offering a tryout this week to former league rebounding champion Dennis Rodman. Rodman, 42, has not played since the 1999-2000 season with the Mavericks.
TENNIS: Dent, Myskina take titles
Taylor Dent and Anastasia Myskina won finals at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow, the second straight titles for both. Dent defeated Sargis Sargsian 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 to become the first American to capture the Cup. Last week, Dent upset top-ranked Juan Carlos Ferrero to win the Thailand Open. Myskina, the first Russian woman to win this event, defeated Amelie Mauresmo 6-2, 6-4. A week ago, Myskina downed U.S. Open and French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne in Leipzig, Germany.
JAPAN OPEN: Rainer Schuettler and Maria Sharapova won in Tokyo. Top-seeded Schuettler beat Sebastien Grosjean 7-6 (7-5), 6-2. Sharapova defeated Aniko Kapros 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) for her first WTA Tour singles title. Sharapova, 16, became the tour's youngest winner this year.
WRESTLING: Olympic champion Armen Nazarian of Bulgaria retained his title, beating Cuba's Roberto Monzon 6-2 in the 132-pound final at the Greco-Roman World Championships in Creteil, France. The United States finished 12th among 33 teams and seven qualified for the Athens Olympics.[Last modified October 6, 2003, 01:49:36]
