Back Ailment Sends Agassi Out

Top-seeded Andre Agassi, rear-ended in an auto accident in Las Vegas a month ago, retired from his second-round match Wednesday at the Tennis Masters-Cincinnati because of back problems that have been traced to that wreck.

“I was pulling off my shots, and I started pulling off my serve,” said Agassi after winning the first set, 6-3, from Fernando Vicente, losing the second, 3-6, and then calling for a trainer after the first game of the third.

“I know it was only getting worse,’ he said, adding that he would probably take some time off.

Third-seeded Magnus Norman was upset by Slava Dosedal, 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-3.

Boxing

Because of problems with the financial backing, Mike Tyson’s proposed fight against David Izon has been put on hold. Tentatively scheduled for Sept. 8 at Auburn Hills, Mich., the fight won’t be staged until October at the earliest, Tyson’s promoter, Dan Goossen, said.

Boston boxing promoter Douglas Pendarvis was awarded about $200,000 after a state commission found that the owner of a ballroom refused to rent to him because he is black.

Hockey

Lanny McDonald, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, ended his 19-year association with the Calgary Flames, unexpectedly quitting his executive job amid a report that he clashed with team President Ron Beamner.

Left wing Ray Whitney agreed to a three-year contract with the Florida Panthers. . . . The Phoenix Coyotes signed left wing Phillipe Audet and defenseman Dan Focht to one-year contracts. . . . The Carolina Hurricanes signed free agent goalie Tyler Moss, who played in the minor leagues last season.

Miscellany

Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko scored twice for Italian soccer powerhouse AC Milan, which rallied to beat Dynamo Zagreb, 3-1, in their Champions League third-round first-leg qualifying match.

Dwayne Pina, a 5-foot-10 walk-on guard at Boston College who earned a scholarship, will no longer be able to play basketball because of a viral heart condition.

Eagle Coach Al Skinner told the Boston Globe that Pina contracted the virus this summer and was briefly hospitalized when his heart became enlarged and had its pumping efficiency diminished to 30% of capacity.

Aree Wongluekiet advanced to the third round of the U.S. Women’s Amateur at Portland, Ore., with a 1-up victory over Mollie Fankhauser.

U.S. Olympic team member Jenny Keim topped qualifying for the 3-meter springboard final in the U.S. Outdoor National Diving Championships at Mission Viejo.

Olympics

Six women, including former Olympians Jennifer Azzi, Vicky Bullett and Katrina McClain, have been selected as alternates to this year’s U.S. women’s Olympic basketball team. The others are Shannon Johnson, Nykesha Sales and Tina Thompson.

Four of the 44 high-tech bobsled runners that were stolen from the U.S. bobsled team last month have been found by a motorist who noticed them beside a road near Salt Lake City.

Jurisprudence

Sports agent William “Tank” Black was brought to Michigan from South Carolina to face drug and money laundering charges and is scheduled to appear today before U.S. District Judge Lawrence Zatkoff.

Federal prosecutors allege Black hid drug dealers’ money, moved drugs and helped dealers get out of the country.

Former Boston Bruin defenseman Marty McSorley’s assault trial for hitting Canuck forward Donald Brashear in the head with his stick is scheduled to begin Sept. 25 in Provincial Court in Vancouver. McSorley, 37, was charged with assault with a weapon after the Feb. 21 incident.

Former Michigan basketball player Louis Bullock testified before a grand jury in Detroit investigating gambling charges against a banned booster. Ed Martin, a former Detroit electrician, is accused of operating a betting pool from the auto plant where he worked for 33 years. He is also a key figure in an NCAA investigation of Michigan’s basketball program.

Sources have told the Ann Arbor News that while in college, Bullock accepted more than $50,000 in loans from Martin.

Names in the News

Longtime Albertson College coach Tim Mooney was named baseball coach at Washington State, replacing Steve Farrington, whose contract was not renewed after six seasons. . . . Former University of Florida coach Galen Hall was named coach and director of football operations for the XFL’s Orlando franchise. . . . Sean Kearney, the top assistant basketball coach at Delaware the last five seasons, will join the staff of Mike Brey at Notre Dame. . . . Two-time NASCAR champion Herb Thomas, 77, died of a heart attack Wednesday in Sanford, N.C.