Florida Promoter Accused of Fixing Fights

Rick (Elvis) Parker, an Orlando, Fla., boxing promoter, has been accused by one of his fighters of fixing up to a dozen bouts for such heavyweights as Randall (Tex) Cobb and Mark Gastineau, the former pro football player.

According to a story in this week’s Sports Illustrated, among the fights fixed by Parker were Cobb’s first-round knockout of journeyman Sonny Barch on Sept. 15, 1992, and Gastineau’s first-round defeat of Rick Hoard on the same card. Barch made the accusation.

Cobb denied the story.

Barch told the magazine that Parker dispatched him to ensure that Gastineau, the former New York Jet defensive end, would defeat Hoard. The offer to Hoard was twice his $1,000 purse and the promise of more lucrative nationally televised fights. Hoard was injured and unable to continue after Gastineau wrestled him to the canvas.

Hoard and Parker denied fixing any fights.

Baseball

Kansas City Royal Manager Hal McRae agreed to a one-year contract extension for 1994. McRae became manager in May of 1991 when John Wathan was fired. The Royals were 82-76 at the time of McRae’s extension, an improvement over last year’s 72-90 record. In 1991, they were 66-58 after McRae took over.

Miscellany

Running back Eric Bieniemy of the San Diego Chargers failed to appear in court in Boulder, Colo., on an outstanding warrant for driving with a suspended license. Judge Thomas Reed ordered the district attorney’s office to find another court date.

The top-ranked Long Beach State women’s volleyball team (10-0) will play host to eighth-ranked USC (8-2) tonight in a nonconference match at 7:30. The 49ers are led by 6-foot-2 middle blocker Danielle Scott, a two-time All-American who leads the nation with a .527 hitting percentage.