No Pacquiao-Mayweather bout in May on Astini News
Manny Pacquiao won't fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. until November at the earliest, Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum said Monday. Arum said Mayweather is trying to stage his next fight May 5 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas without promising Pacquiao a 50-50 split of fight revenue. As a result, Mayweather "isn't in the picture" as Arum plans Pacquiao's next fight for June 9. "They don't want to fight in late May," Arum said of the Mayweather camp. "It's dead for May, so we should . . . let Mayweather fight someone else May 5 and we'll fight someone else June 9, and then let's get a signed contract for (Mayweather-Pacquiao) in November. That's a win-win for everybody."
However, there remains deep skepticism the super-fight will ever happen, given the long-standing animosity among Arum, Mayweather and his adviser, Al Haymon. (Los Angeles Times)
NCAA chief still in favor of BCS Final Four playoff
NCAA President Mark Emmert on Monday reiterated his support of a two-round, four-team BCS playoff to determine a national football champion.
Emmert said there are discussions about what he described as a Final Four model, which would've matched LSU against Stanford and Alabama vs. Oklahoma State this season with the winners advancing to the title game. Alabama defeated LSU 21-0 to avenge its lone loss and win the championship. Emmert said any change must be determined by the BCS members. (AP)
Assistant added to Meyer's staff at Ohio State • Ohio State said Bill Sheridan, the linebackers coach for the Miami Dolphins the past two seasons, will join new coach Urban Meyer's coaching staff as a defensive assistant. The school did not say what position or group of players Sheridan will coach. (AP)
Cubs sign Trever Miller to minor league contract • The Chicago Cubs signed reliever Trever Miller to a one-year, $800,00 minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. The lefthander began last season with the Cardinals, going 0-1 with one save and a 4.02 ERA in 39 appearances before he was sent to the Blue Jays along with outfielder Colby Rasmus and two other pitchers in the three-team swap that brought four players to the Cardinals. He was released by Toronto three weeks later and signed with the Boston Red Sox for the rest of the season. (From news services)
Patterson signs minor league deal with Brewers • The Milwaukee Brewers signed outfielder Corey Patterson to a minor league contract. Patterson played 44 games for the Cardinals last season, batting .157 with three RBIs. (AP)
Rangers give manager Washington two-year extension • Texas manager Ron Washington, who has a 427-373 record in five seasons with the Rangers, signed a two-year contract extension through the 2014 season after leading the team to consecutive World Series, including last year's loss to the Cardinals. (AP)
Date changed for baseball's Hall of Fame Classic • The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum said this year's Hall of Fame Classic will be played the Saturday before Father's Day in Cooperstown, N.Y. The first three Classics were held on Father's Day. So far, six Hall of Famers are slated to take part in the seven-inning legends game on June 16, with Hall of Famers Phil Niekro and ex-Cardinal Ozzie Smith returning as team captains. (AP)
CAS sets date for Contador verdict • The Court of Arbitration for Sport said it plans to publish its verdict in Alberto Contador's doping case on Monday. The Spanish cyclist is facing a two-year ban for testing positive for clenbuterol during the 2010 Tour de France. The three-time Tour champion said the clenbuterol came from contaminated beef that he ate during the race. (AP)
WPS suspends play for 2012 season • Women's Professional Soccer officials said the league won't play the 2012 season amid a legal dispute with an ousted owner. In October, the WPS terminated its South Florida franchise after clashing with owner Dan Borislow all season. A Florida judge ruled earlier this month that the league failed to follow its own dispute procedures when it terminated the franchise. Another court hearing is set for Wednesday. (AP)
