Briefs

Injury has fight in question

By wire services
Published September 14, 2005

Is the Oct.1 fight at the St. Pete Times Forum between Antonio Tarver and Roy Jones Jr. in jeopardy?

According to two boxing Web sites, Jones has a hand injury that could scuttle the light heavyweight fight, which ironically has been called "No Excuses."

One site, 15rounds.com, claimed to have spoken with Roy Jones Sr. , who said his son was hurt while sparring Friday and has a knot on top of his right hand. Jones Sr. said his son went to the doctor's office Tuesday for an X-ray: "As of right now, he can hardly hit with that hand."

The rumors did not please Tarver.

"I don't care if he gets in the ring on crutches," Tarver said. "Whatever Roy Jones shows up, I plan on destroying him. I'm not complaining about my injuries. We're in the hurt business. So suck it up like a man and let's get ready to fight."

PRO BASKETBALL

Wheel of charity

Denver's Carmelo Anthony , Seattle's Ray Allen , Golden State's Baron Davis and the Lakers' Luke Walton are among 15 NBA and WNBA players teaming up with the game show Wheel of Fortune to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. The players will tape shows Thursday for the show's NBA week, airing Oct.31-Nov.4.

PLAYER ACQUITTED: A judge acquitted Timberwolves center Michael Olowokandi of misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass and disorderly conduct at a downtown Indianapolis nightclub last fall.

BOBCATS: Forward Sean May had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will not be ready to play when training camp begins next month.

TENNIS

Johansson tops kinsman

Thomas Johansson beat Jonas Bjorkman 6-4, 6-3 at the China Open in Beijing, the former Australian Open champion's first win over his fellow Swede in three years.

BCR OPEN: Top-seeded Mariano Puerta beat Janko Tipsarevic 7-5, 6-2 in the first round in Bucharest, Romania.

WISMILAK INTERNATIONAL: Ekaterina Bychkova ousted eighth-seeded Sania Mirza 6-3, 6-2 in the first round in Bali, Indonesia. Third-seeded Alicia Molik , recovered from a virus that affected her balance and vision, claimed her first singles win since April.

ET CETERA

AUTOS: Reigning Busch Series champion Martin Truex Jr. was penalized $10,000 and 25 points by NASCAR for using an obscene gesture during last week's race. Truex leads Clint Bowyer by 69 points with seven races left.

BASEBALL: The United States faces a quarterfinal match against defending champion Cuba in the World Cup after winning its last group match 5-4 against Taiwan. Lastings Milledge , the top Mets prospect who grew up in St. Petersburg, singled in the go-ahead run in the ninth.

HORSES: Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum , the crown prince of Dubai, bought a Storm Cat colt for $9.7-million and spent $40.99-million overall, both records for the 62-year-old Keeneland September Yearling Sale in Lexington, Ky.

SOCCER: The U.S. women's team will play Australia at Fullerton, Calif., on Oct.16 and Mexico at Charleston, S.C., on Oct. 23.

[Last modified September 14, 2005, 02:15:34]