Sports briefs

Originally published 01:39 a.m., July 2, 2009
Updated 01:39 a.m., July 2, 2009

Boxing great

Arguello dead

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Alexis Arguello, who fought in one of boxing’s most classic brawls and reigned supreme at 130 pounds, was found dead at his home early Wednesday.

Coroners were conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Sandanista Party’s Radio Ya and other local media were reporting it appeared to be a suicide.

The La Prensa newspaper reported that Arguello — elected mayor of Nicaragua’s capital last year — was found with a gunshot wound to the chest.

The 57-year-old Arguello retired in 1995 with a record of 82-8 with 65 knockouts and was a champion in three weight divisions. He was perhaps best known for two thrilling battles with Aaron Pryor and fights with Ray Mancini, Bobby Chacon and Ruben Olivares.

Sheriff’s auction

offers Blount’s car

HAMILTON (AP) — An Ohio sheriff’s auction of property seized in drug raids includes a car taken from a former NBA player.

A 2004 Cadillac Escalade sport utility vehicle owned by former NBA star Corie Blount is among several cars up for auction on a government Web site.

In May, Blount was convicted on drug charges in southwest Ohio’s Butler County and was sentenced to a year in prison.

MLB expanding

All-Star rosters

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball is expanding All-Star rosters yet again.

Each league will have 33 players for the July 14 game at St. Louis, with an extra pitcher added to bring the total to 13. The commissioner’s office said Wednesday the extra spot will be a manager’s choice.

There are eight fan-elected starters, eight player-elected pitchers and eight player-elected reserves, with eight players selected by each manager. In addition, a fan Internet vote is held for the final spot in each league.

Rosters were expanded from 30 to 32 after 2002’s 7-7, 11-inning tie in Milwaukee, when both leagues ran out of pitchers. In last year’s 4-3, 15-inning AL victory at Yankee Stadium, every player was used other than San Francisco pitcher Tim Lincecum, who was ill.

Rosters will be announced Sunday.

Taylor, partners

cleared in lawsuit

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) — Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor and two partners were cleared Tuesday in a civil suit of reneging on a deal to buy a private island with sandy shoals and wind-swept grasses.

Taylor, who recently signed a $1.5 million, one-year contract to return to the Dolphins, and the partners were accused in the suit of breach of contract in 2004 to purchase Great St. James island, off St. Thomas’ east end.

The partners contended the seller misrepresented several aspects of deal, such as public beach access, so they were entitled not to go through with it.

Taco Bell replaces

McDonald’s in NBA

NEW YORK (AP) — Taco Bell has replaced longtime sponsor McDonald’s as the NBA’s fast-food partner.

Taco Bell and the NBA have agreed on a four-year deal that includes ads for the fast-food chain on ABC, TNT and ESPN, NBA-themed promotions at Taco Bell’s 5,600 restaurants and NBA-themed advertising. Taco Bell will be the title sponsor for the All-Star Saturday Night Skills Challenge and an associate sponsor of the All-Star Jam Session.

The agreement ends the league’s 20-year partnership with McDonald’s.

The package’s value was not disclosed, but a person familiar with the deal confirmed the details to The Associated Press on Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had yet to be announced.

UC still interested

in trouble player

CINCINNATI (AP) — University of Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin sounded confident Wednesday that New York prep star Lance Stephenson will emerge from his court case unscathed later this month.

Stephenson signed with Cincinnati, one of the schools still interested in him following his latest off-court problems. He is scheduled for trial later this month on a misdemeanor sexual abuse charge.

Numerous schools backed off the 6-foot-6 guard from Lincoln High School in Brooklyn following his arrest on Oct. 3. He is accused of fondling and threatening a student at the school.

Judge will allow

Mayfield to race

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Two months after a positive drug test for methamphetamines, Jeremy Mayfield is getting ready to return to NASCAR.

U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen on Wednesday issued a temporary injunction to allow the driver to get back behind the wheel at Daytona International Speedway this weekend.

‘‘This is huge for us,’’ Mayfield said. ‘‘This means more to me probably than any race I’ve ever won or anything.’’

Concluding the ‘‘likelihood of a false positive in this case is quite substantial,’’ Mullen said as he ruled in Mayfield’s favor after about two hours of arguments, including NASCAR’s contention that Mayfield is a danger to the sport after testing positive for high amounts of a dangerous, illegal drug.

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