Vargas-Mayorga fight at Staples is postponed

The Fernando Vargas-Ricardo Mayorga fight, scheduled for Sept. 8 at Staples Center, has been postponed after the 29-year-old Vargas was diagnosed with anemia.

“We are working with promoters to announce a new date,” said Michael Roth, spokesman for Staples Center, “and will have a refund policy shortly.”

A routine blood test Friday revealed Vargas has a severe iron deficiency, according to a spokesman for Don King, promoter of the event. Vargas hopes to resume training in two to three weeks.

The match between Vargas (26-4, 22 knockouts) and Mayorga (27-6-1, 22) was to be at 162 pounds.

--Steve Springer

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Rau’shee Warren became the first American boxer in 31 years to qualify for consecutive Olympic teams by overpowering Qa’id Muhammad for the flyweight championship at the U.S. Olympic trials in Houston.

The 20-year-old Warren built a 23-1 lead before the referee stopped the bout 1:11 into the second round. Warren becomes the first U.S. boxer to make back-to-back Olympic squads since Davey Lee Armstrong in 1972 and 1976.

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HORSE RACING

Street Sense wins Travers Stakes

Street Sense was tested until the end before holding off a determined Grasshopper and winning the $1-million Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

When Street Sense hit the top of the stretch, it appeared the Kentucky Derby winner was going to win easily. But the pace-setting Grasshopper would not give in, and the two 3-year-olds dueled down the stretch before Street Sense prevailed by a half-length.

Street Sense, sent off as the overwhelming 1-4 favorite, covered the 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.69.

Trained by Carl Nafzger, Street Sense returned $2.70, $2.20 and $2.10. Grasshopper, trained by Neil Howard, paid $4.60 and $3.60. Helsinki was third and paid $7.80.

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After Market, winner of his last three races, leads a field of eight entering today’s 68th edition of the Grade II $250,000 Del Mar Handicap, a 1 3/8 -mile race on Del Mar’s turf course.

In Saturday’s feature, the Solana Beach Handicap at a mile on the turf, Bai and Bai, ridden by Aaron Gryder, was the winner. Spenditallbaby, with Michael Baze aboard, finished second.

--Larry Stewart

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TENNIS

Blake defeats Fish for Pilot Pen title

Third-seeded James Blake beat friend Mardy Fish, 7-5, 6-4, to win an All-American final at the Pilot Pen tournament in New Haven, Conn.

There were five breaks in the first set as both players struggled with their service game. But up, 6-5, after a break, Blake won the set and quickly went up, 4-1, in the second. Fish got back to 3-4, but could not get the equalizer.

In the women’s draw, top-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova won her first title this season when qualifier Agnes Szavay retired because of a back injury while leading, 6-4, 0-3.

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SOCCER

Eriksson’s perfect start is ended by Arsenal

Arsenal ended Sven-Goran Eriksson’s perfect start as Manchester City manager in the English Premier League with a 1-0 victory on an 80th-minute goal by Cesc Fabregas.

Arsenal could have won by a bigger margin against the team now run by the former England coach, but a penalty kick by Robin van Persie was saved by Manchester’s Kasper Schmeichel.

U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller made his debut for Fulham and American teammate Clint Dempsey scored the opening goal against Aston Villa. But Fulham lost, 2-1.

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U.S. midfielder DaMarcus Beasley scored his first Scottish Premier League goal for Rangers in a 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock. He scored in the 52nd minute, chasing down a loose ball in the box to score from six yards.

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LITTLE LEAGUE

Georgia, Japan to play for championship

David Umphreville Jr. had a two-run single during a three-run third inning to help Warner Robins, Ga., advance to today’s Little League World Series title game with a 5-2 victory over Lubbock, Texas, at South Williamsport, Pa.

Warner Robins will play Tokyo for the title. Ryo Kanekubo’s grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning led Tokyo to a 7-4 victory over Willemstad, Curacao, for the international title.

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Arkansas’ Harrison arrested, suspended

Arkansas defensive end Marcus Harrison was suspended indefinitely after being arrested late Friday night in Fayetteville on a felony drug charge and several misdemeanors.

The 23-year-old senior was driving near his apartment when an officer stopped him, according to a police report.

The officer asked Harrison to step out of the car. Harrison consented to a search and told the officer he had “just a pill” in a pocket of his cargo shorts.

The officer found a small plastic bag containing one blue Ecstasy pill.

The officer reported finding one partially smoked marijuana cigar under the front seat of the car and another unsmoked cigar. Both tested positive for marijuana, according to the report.