Holyfield, 46, to fight for WBA title next month
et cetera
Evander Holyfield is getting another chance at a heavyweight title. The former champion, 46, will challenge 7-foot Russian giant Nikolai Valuev for the World Boxing Association crown Dec. 20 at Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland, arena management said. Holyfield (42-9-2, 27 KOs) hasn't fought since losing a one-sided decision to then-WBO champion Sultan Ibragimov more than a year ago. Holyfield is winless in his past four title fights since beating John Ruiz for the vacant WBA belt in October 2000. Valuev is 49-1, with 34 KOs. Holyfield has insisted that he wants to keep fighting until he regains the heavyweight title, but he has also been having financial problems. Last summer, he failed to make three straight $3,000 monthly child-support payments and later faced the threat of possible jail time and an auction on his home.
NBA:: LeBron James scored 22 points, most of them coming with Carmelo Anthony (Towson Catholic) guarding him, and the host Cleveland Cavaliers finally put the Denver Nuggets away and won their sixth straight, 110-99. ... Ben Gordon scored 35 and the host Chicago Bulls roared back from an early 19-point deficit to send the Dallas Mavericks to their fourth straight loss, 98-91. Before the game, the Bulls signed point guard Lindsey Hunter.
College football: : Javarris James ran for a touchdown, Matt Bosher kicked three field goals and host Miami got a huge defensive stand in the final minutes to beat Virginia Tech, 16-14, and move into first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference's Coastal Division. The Hurricanes (7-3) improved to 4-2 in the ACC, a half game ahead of North Carolina. Virginia Tech fell to 6-4, 3-3.
Elsewhere: : Lorena Ochoa struggled in the first round in her own LPGA Lorena Ochoa Invitational, shooting a 1-over-par 73 on her home course to drop five strokes behind Annika Sorenstam and seven others in Guadalajara, Mexico. ... Chad Marshall and Eddie Gaven scored second-half goals to lead the host Columbus Crew to its first MLS Cup appearance with a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire in the Eastern Conference final. ... The Detroit Red Wings scored three third-period goals to beat host Tampa Bay, 4-3, and improve to 17-0 against the Lightning. ... The Minnesota Wild scored four power-play goals to beat the visiting Phoenix Coyotes, 4-0. ... The Washington Capitals signed 2008 first-round draft pick John Carlson to a three-year, entry-level contract.
