Too Much of Douglas to Get Ready for Tyson

Buster Douglas, 39, who at one time was up to nearly 400 pounds and almost died of diabetes, has been rejected as Mike Tyson’s comeback opponent in a fight Oct. 2, according to Dan Goossen, Tyson’s promoter.

In 1990, Douglas handed Tyson, then the heavyweight champion, his first defeat in one of boxing’s biggest upsets.

“Buster Douglas is not in fighting shape and will not be by October,” Goossen said. “Mike is anxious to return to the ring and is looking to fight someone who will be physically and mentally ready to fight. At this point, Douglas does not fit that description.”

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Former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Rafael Ruelas (53-4) stepped into the ring for the first time in nearly a year and defeated Hicklet Lau (11-6-1) in a split decision at Reno on Sunday.

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Featherweight Guty Espadas stretched his winning streak to 10 with a first-round knockout against Prangky Mamuaya in the 10-round main event at the Arrowhead Pond.

Hockey

Allegheny County Commissioner Bob Cranmer stands in the way of concessions that would free Mario Lemieux’s ownership group and the Pittsburgh Penguins of about $37 million owed for Civic Arena improvements.

Cranmer’s objection is that county funds might have to be used to retire the debt, which Lemieux has said will be necessary for him and his partners to close on the purchase of the bankrupt Penguins.

The Washington Capitals signed veteran free-agent defenseman Jamie Huscroft to a two-year contract. Huscroft will earn $400,000 if he plays in the NHL or $100,000 if he plays in the minor leagues. . . . Edmonton goaltender Tommy Salo was awarded a one-year, $1.6-million contract by an arbitrator. . . . The Montreal Canadiens signed goaltender Frederic Chabot to a two-year deal and defenseman Craig Rivet to a one-year contract.

Tennis

Unseeded Cedric Pioline of France upset No. 10 Carlos Moya of Spain, 6-4, 6-1, in the first round of the $2.45-million ATP Championship at Mason, Ohio.

13th-seeded Thomas Enqvist of Sweden survived a challenge from qualifier Wayne Arthurs of Australia for a 7-5, 7-6 (7-1) victory.

Top-seeded Dominik Hrbaty made his second successive first-round exit from an ATP Tour tournament, retiring because of pain in his right leg in a match against Uruguay’s Marcello Flippini and losing, 7-6 (7-5), 1-1, in the International tournament at San Marino.

Football

USC’s incoming football players--among them standout freshmen sprinters Kareem Kelly and Darrell Rideaux--reported to campus in preparation for the opening of preseason camp Saturday at UC Irvine. Two junior college transfers, receiver Craig Mitchell and linebacker Markus Steele, will report later this week after their summer school work is completed. USC’s veterans report Thursday.

Oregon State backup quarterback Terrance Bryant has been suspended for two games by the NCAA for borrowing a former assistant coach’s car and staying at his home, the school announced.

New Coach Dennis Erickson suffered another setback when three members of his first recruiting class failed to qualify academically. Those ineligible are defensive back Chad Carpenter, wide receiver Doug Gabriel and defensive end Sean Phillips, a freshman from Pasadena.

Miscellany

Jenny Thompson raced the second fastest time in the history of the women’s 100 butterfly, 58.15, to win her third title at the Phillips 66 National Swimming Championships at Minneapolis.

Lenny Krayzelburg completed a sweep of backstroke events, winning the 100 meters in 54 seconds, breaking the U.S. Open and national meet record of 54.07 held by Jeff Rouse.

Sergio Senteno was in serious condition after he was stabbed during a D.C. United soccer game against Tampa Bay at RFK Stadium on Sunday. No arrests have been made.

Patrick Carpentier will miss this weekend’s CART car race at Lexington, Ohio, after tests showed he had broken a small vertebra in a crash Sunday during the Grand Prix of Detroit.

Tulane Athletic Director Sandy Barbour, 39, one of only eight women in that position at a Division I-A school, resigned, saying that recent talks with the university’s new president, Scott Cowen, left her with the impression that she was no longer wanted.

American synchronized diver Tracy Bonner and Chinese swimmers Xiong Guoming and Wang Wei have been banned after failing drug tests, the world swimming’s governing body FINA announced in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Illinois basketball Coach Lon Kruger said junior Fess Hawkins has been dismissed from the team “for failure to take care of personal responsibilities.” He did not elaborate.

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Randy Harvey is on assignment