ATLANTIC CITY - Boxing promoter Don King was barred Wednesday from doing business with New Jersey casinos for at least a year.
But the state Casino Control Commission balked at imposing a five-year ban to punish him for exploiting a loophole that allows promoters to stage fights while their license applications are pending.
King promoted four world-title fights during the past five years while his license applications were pending. But he withdrew his applications twice as the state Division of Gaming Enforcement's investigation was in progress.
He did so in April 2002 to avoid answering New Jersey investigators' questions about his dealings with former IBF president Robert Lee Sr.
Lee was tried three years ago on charges he took bribes from promoters and managers in exchange for favors and rigged rankings. King is an unindicted co-conspirator in that case.
King did not appear before the panel Wednesday. His lawyer, Clive Cummis, said King had nothing to hide and was following legal advice in not answering questions about Lee.
King can't apply for a license until April 2005 and cannot promote fights until he actually obtains a license.
TENNIS: Venus rallies for win
Venus Williams recovered from a sluggish start to beat Fabiola Zuluaga 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 and reach the quarterfinals of the J&S Cup in Warsaw. Williams dropped the first set despite leading 2-0 but lost only three points in the first three games to win the second set. Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi reached the quarterfinals by beating Daniela Hantuchova 6-4, 7-5.
BMW OPEN: Martin Verkerk had 21 aces and beat Boris Pashanski 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-4) to reach the quarterfinals in Munich, Germany. Verkerk, runnerup at the 2003 French Open, trailed 5-3 in the second set but broke Pashanski's serve.
BUDAPEST GRAND PRIX: Flavia Pennetta beat fifth-seeded Barbara Schett 6-2, 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals in Hungary. Jelena Jankovic and Ludmila Cervanova also reached the quarterfinals.
OPEN SEAT GODO: Defending champion Carlos Moya and third-seeded David Nalbandian reached the third round in Barcelona, Spain. Moya, seeded second, beat Daniel Elsner 6-4, 6-2. Nalbandian ousted Todd Martin 6-2, 6-4.
TRACK: Jones to skip Japan
Triple Olympic champion Marion Jones and 100-meter world-record holder Tim Montgomery will not compete at a meet May 8 in Japan. The Nikkan Sports daily said on its Web site the two Americans were "not in top condition" and wanted to compete in a meet "where there is no time difference."
"At no point was she ever confirmed," said Lewis Kay, a representative for Jones. He dismissed the notion that Jones was not in top condition or the time zone was a factor. Jones and Montgomery, who have a son together, are scheduled to compete at a meet in Jamaica on May 7.
ET CETERA
SKIING: Rachael Pack, 12, became the youngest member ever selected to the U.S. team when she made the "C" freestyle roster for the 2004-05 season. Pack, the younger sister of 2002 Olympic aerials silver medalist Joe Pack, will be 13 when the season begins. As a member of the "C" team, she will compete mostly against other developing skiers trying to work up to the World Cup circuit.
SOCCER: Eddie Pope scored in injury time to give the United States a 1-0 victory over Mexico in an exhibition in Dallas. Pope knocked in the rebound of a shot by Taylor Twellman from about 5 yards. ... Diego Maradona walked around his hospital room, and his doctors expect him to spend only a few more days in intensive care for heart and lung treatment. Maradona, 43, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, was rushed to a hospital April 18 complaining of chest pains and fever. A respirator was removed last weekend.
