Advertisement

Nevada athletic commission orders drug tests for Pacquiao, Mayweather

Share
Staff And Wire Reports

The chairman of the Nevada State Athletic Commission has ordered Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. to take immediate out-of-competition urine tests, even as the sides bicker heatedly over a drug-testing policy that threatens to scrap their scheduled March 13 mega-fight in Las Vegas.

Nevada Athletic Commission Chairman Pat Lundvall ordered Executive Director Keith Kizer to point Mayweather and Pacquiao to accredited drug-testing labs in the United States and Philippines, respectively, for tests that must be completed by Wednesday, Kizer told The Times.

The tests will be paid for by Nevada and are consistent with World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines, Kizer said.

“It’s a start,” Kizer said. “Whether it’s the end, I don’t know.”

Kizer was referring to the ongoing argument between the Mayweather and Pacquiao camps about how to conduct drug tests. Pacquiao’s camp wants to submit two blood tests, one in January, another 30 days before the fight, and another after the bout. Mayweather’s camp, after consulting with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency about its protocol, argues that the fighters should be subjected to possible random blood testing until the first bell.

-- Lance Pugmire BASEBALL

Escobar signs deal with Mets

The New York Mets have signed right-hander Kelvim Escobar to a one-year contract.

Escobar was expected to get $1.25 million.

Escobar, an 18-game winner in 2007, missed nearly all of the last two seasons with the Angels because of shoulder trouble. If healthy, he would probably work out of the bullpen for the Mets, who are looking for setup help for All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez.

The San Francisco Giants have reached a preliminary agreement with free-agent infielder Mark DeRosa on a two-year contract, adding a key bat to the middle of their order.

Giants spokesman Jim Moorehead said the 12-year veteran passed a physical Monday and the team planned to formally announce his deal today.

DeRosa, who turns 35 in February, has been on the Giants’ radar for a while. He can play on either corner in the infield or outfield, giving Manager Bruce Bochy greater flexibility with his lineup. He probably will play third, moving slugger Pablo Sandoval to first and giving the Giants more power and offensive punch at that position.

PRO BASKETBALL

Knicks’ Robinson is fined $25,000

Benched New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson was fined $25,000 by the NBA after his agent made a trade request.

Robinson has not played in the Knicks’ last 12 games. A two-time winner of the All-Star slam dunk contest, he has played in only 12 games this season and is averaging 11 points.

Agent Aaron Goodwin recently told reporters he’d asked the Knicks to move Robinson to another team. Robinson was fined for statements detrimental to the NBA.

“Players are not permitted to make trade requests publicly and are responsible for public statements relating to them made by their representatives,” NBA spokesman Tim Frank said.

ETC.

Vonn injured in giant-slalom crash

Overall champion Lindsey Vonn injured her left arm in a crash in the opening run of the World Cup giant slalom, and Kathrin Hoelzl of Germany won the race.

Hoelzl led after the first run at Lienz, Austria, and posted a combined time of 2 minutes 16.61 seconds to edge Manuela Moelgg of Italy by 0.05 of a second. Taina Barioz of France was third.

Vonn initially thought she had broken her arm after losing her balance and falling backward. An X-ray and MRI exam revealed no break, only a bone bruise.

Vonn’s husband, Thomas, said she will test her wrist to see if she can compete in today’s slalom.

The New York state comptroller subpoenaed financial records from the New York Racing Assn. and is challenging the group’s claim that it may need another bailout to save the Belmont Stakes.

The association, which has held the franchise to run the state’s three thoroughbred tracks for decades, received $105 million from the state and forgiveness of millions more in state debt in 2008.

It is refusing to open its books to Thomas DiNapoli’s auditors, saying a recent court ruling limits the comptroller’s authority to examine its finances.

Advertisement