Wright Has to Fight for Victory

Winky Wright unanimously outpointed Australia’s Sam Soliman in a World Boxing Council elimination fight Saturday night at Uncasville, Conn.

The victory by Wright is expected to set up a showdown with middleweight champion Jermain Taylor sometime in 2006.

“I want Jermain as soon as possible,” Wright said.

Wright (50-3, 25 knockouts) was pushed to the limit by Soliman (31-8, 12 knockouts) in the 12-round fight. Judge Duane Ford scored it 117-110, Tom Kaczmarek had it 115-112 and Melvin Lathan had it 115-113.

“He was very awkward and he came to fight,” Wright said. “I thought he would wind down. I give him a lot of credit.”

BASEBALL

Angels Might Make

a Pitch for Tejada

If the Baltimore Orioles comply with Miguel Tejada’s request to be traded, the Angels are expected to be serious bidders for the All-Star shortstop, who is one of baseball’s most dynamic two-way players and could be a more attractive option than Boston slugger Manny Ramirez.

An Oriole official said the Angels would be a “good match” for a deal, and a Baltimore source said Angel shortstop Orlando Cabrera would be deemed an acceptable defensive replacement for Tejada.

The Orioles are also looking for a first baseman, and they discussed a deal at last week’s winter meetings that would have sent Darin Erstad to Baltimore for designated hitter/catcher Javy Lopez.

But in trade talks for Tejada, who batted .304 with 26 homers, 50 doubles and 98 runs batted in last season, the Orioles would probably ask for first-base prospect Casey Kotchman, whose age (22) and power potential present more of an upside over the 31-year-old Erstad.

Tejada, 29, has four years and $48 million left on a six-year, $72-million deal.

The Angels, according to a source, might be more willing to part with a premium prospect for Tejada than they would for Ramirez, but young pitcher Ervin Santana and power-hitting shortstop prospect Brandon Wood are still considered untouchable.

-- Mike DiGiovanna

The Dodgers have agreed in principle to a one-year contract with free-agent Sandy Alomar Jr., a veteran catcher who will back up and mentor Dioner Navarro and, perhaps in time, prospect Russ Martin.

Alomar, 39, appeared in 46 games last season for the Texas Rangers. He batted .273 and did not hit a home run in 128 at-bats.

Alomar, who has had seven knee surgeries, will receive a base salary of $650,000.

Jason Phillips, who for the Dodgers last season appeared in 121 games, 93 at catcher, will be traded or non-tendered. Paul Bako was not offered arbitration.

General Manager Ned Colletti met Thursday with Scott Boras, who represents free-agent center fielder Johnny Damon.

The 32-year-old Damon, through Boras, turned down a four-year, $40-million offer from the Boston Red Sox. The New York Yankees also are considered suitors for Damon, who earned $8.3 million last season with the Red Sox.

-- Tim Brown

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Penn State’s Posluszny

Wins the Butkus Award

Penn State’s Paul Posluszny, who helped the No. 3 Nittany Lions earn a share of the Big Ten championship, won the Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker. He had 111 tackles and three sacks.

Backup quarterback Trey Elder scored on a one-yard run with about two minutes left to give Appalachian State (11-3) a 29-23 victory over Furman (11-3) in the Division I-AA semifinals at Boone, N.C.

The Mountaineers will play Northern Iowa (11-3) for the championship on Friday in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Brandon Langston caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Cullen Finnerty in the final minutes to lead Grand Valley State (13-0) to a 21-17 victory over Northwest Missouri State (11-4) in the Division II championship game at Florence, Ala.

Justin Jacobs threw for 188 yards and three touchdowns to Derek Stanley, helping Wisconsin Whitewater (14-0) advance to the Division III national championship game with a 58-6 victory over Wesley (12-2) at Whitewater, Wis.

The Warhawks (14-0) will face Mount Union in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl at Salem, Va., on Dec. 17. Mount Union (13-1) advanced with a 19-7 victory over Rowan (11-2) at Alliance, Ohio

Bruce Eugene completed six touchdown passes and threw for 473 yards to lead Grambling State (11-1) in a 45-6 rout of Alabama A&M; (9-3) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game at Birmingham, Ala.

MISCELLANY

U.S. Finishes Third

in Two-Man Bobsled

Todd Hays led the United States to third place in a two-man bobsled race at Igls, Austria, and took the lead in this season’s overall World Cup standings.

Laure Manaudou of France shattered the world record in the women’s 400-meter freestyle to clinch her third gold medal at the European Short Course Swimming Championships at Trieste, Italy.