THE SIDELINES : Graziano Out of Intensive Care

Former world middleweight champion Rocky Graziano was removed from the intensive care unit today at New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center, where he is recovering from a stroke.

A hospital spokesman said that Graziano remains in serious condition but that his vital signs are stable.

Graziano, 67, had the stroke April 8, and this is the third time in seven months that he has been hospitalized.

Last October, Graziano was treated at Lenox Hill Hospital for mental and physical exhaustion. He had a heart attack last February and was hospitalized at the NYU Medical Center.

In his 11-year professional career, Graziano knocked out 52 of 83 opponents.