Klitschko-Sanders Bout Is Set for Staples Center

Vitali Klitschko will face Corrie Sanders at Staples Center on April 24 for the World Boxing Council heavyweight title made vacant by Lennox Lewis’ retirement, officials announced Tuesday.

Klitschko, 32, was beating Lewis in a slugfest at Staples Center in June, but lost when he was stopped because of cuts in the sixth round. That turned out to be Lewis’ last fight.

The date of the 12-round bout between Klitschko and Sanders was set last month, before a location was selected. Staples Center wanted to play host, but needed approval from the NBA for the date because of the NBA playoffs, which begin the weekend of April 17-18.

The 38-year-old Sanders is 39-2 with 29 knockouts, including a two-round stunner last March over Wladimir Klitschko, Vitali’s brother. Klitschko is 33-2 with 32 knockouts.

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Pro Football

Troy Vincent, a 12-year NFL veteran who has spent the last eight seasons with Philadelphia, signed a six-year contract with Buffalo.

Buffalo also released backup quarterback Alex Van Pelt after he failed a physical examination.

San Diego obtained cornerback Jamar Fletcher from Miami to complete the David Boston deal. Fletcher was the 26th overall selection in the 2001 draft.

Quarterback Drew Henson signed an eight-year contract with Dallas. Henson is guaranteed $3.5 million.

Offensive tackle Damien McIntosh signed a six-year, $21-million contract with Miami. He played his first four seasons in San Diego.

New Orleans signed fullback Sam Gash, a 13-year veteran who in 1999 became the first back in NFL history to be selected to the Pro Bowl without a rushing attempt. Gash played last season for Buffalo.

Tennessee backup quarterback Jason Gesser, who led Washington State to the 2003 Rose Bowl, pleaded not guilty to a drunk-driving charge. Police say he ran a red light and failed a sobriety test Feb. 15 in Honolulu.

Former Pittsburgh and Chicago quarterback Kordell Stewart, safety John Lynch, who was released by Tampa Bay, and former San Diego defensive end Raylee Johnson were in Denver, talking with officials about joining the Broncos.

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Miscellany

Mitch Seavey maintained a comfortable lead in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Seavey was the first musher to reach the White Mountain, Alaska, checkpoint 77 miles from the Nome finish line. Jeff King trails Seavey by 1 hour, 45 minutes.

Jayson Williams’s clothing had traces of blood and gunshot residue on it from the night he allegedly shot limousine driver Costas “Gus” Christofi, forensic evidence expert Andrew Nardelli testified at the former NBA player’s manslaughter trial in Somerville, N.J.

U.S. Open golf champion Jim Furyk will not play in the Players Championship, saying that torn cartilage in his left wrist has not healed.

Auburn Athletic Director David Housel, whose clandestine meeting with Louisville football Coach Bobby Petrino last fall led to calls for his resignation, plans to retire in January. The revelation of the meeting eventually led to the school’s offering an extension to embattled Coach Tommy Tuberville.

A judge ruled prosecutors have enough evidence to support an involuntary manslaughter charge against Father Henry Krawczyk. He allegedly gave alcohol to Pittsburgh football player Billy Gaines, 19, who was drunk when he fell while exploring a crawl space in June and later died from his injuries.

The NCAA women’s volleyball rules committee approved a change for the 2004 season that will allow players at the libero position the opportunity to serve. Originally, the libero was used only as a defensive specialist along the back row.

Long Beach State women’s soccer Coach Peter Reynaud retired after winning 245 matches in 22 seasons at four schools. Reynaud was 19-29-7 in three years at Long Beach after stints at California, Sonoma State and Fresno State.

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Passings

Sidney L. James, 97, who was the founding editor of Sports Illustrated, died in Alameda. Obituary in Section B.

Norb Hecker, an assistant under Vince Lombardi and Bill Walsh who also was the first head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, has died. He was 76.

Sound and Vision columnist Mike Penner has the day off.