Mayweather’s dad out as De La Hoya’s trainer

Oscar De La Hoya has decided not to use trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. in his corner May 5, when De La Hoya meets unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr.

A spokeswoman for De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions said Wednesday that the trainer’s request for $2 million has been deemed too excessive by the boxer, despite the bout’s position as possibly the richest non-heavyweight fight in history.

The fight will be an HBO pay-per-view card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Mayweather Sr. is feuding with his son. Yet, De La Hoya’s camp has expressed discomfort with having the father of his opponent train De La Hoya.

De La Hoya is considering a new trainer, the Golden Boy spokeswoman said.

-- Lance Pugmire

BASEBALL

Cubs, Floyd agree

to one-year deal

Outfielder Cliff Floyd is coming home and hoping to be injury free after agreeing to a $3-million, one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.

He can earn $4.5 more in bonuses.

Floyd, 34, was limited to 332 at-bats last year with the New York Mets because of an injured Achilles’ tendon. He batted 244 with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs before surgery.

Outfielder Alex Escobar and the Washington Nationals agreed to a $530,000, one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.

Before a season-ending shoulder injury, Escobar batted .356 with four home runs and 18 RBIs in only 87 at-bats in the 2006 season.

PRO FOOTBALL

Ex-Cowboy Garrett

interviews with team

Miami Dolphins quarterbacks coach Jason Garrett, a former Dallas quarterback, interviewed with the Cowboys for their vacant offensive coordinator and head-coaching positions.

The Cowboys also sought permission to interview San Diego defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, the Chargers said.

Garrett was Dallas’ first outside candidate since Bill Parcells retired as coach Monday.

Chicago defensive tackle Tank Johnson should be barred from the Super Bowl following his third arrest last month on gun charges, former Bears great Gale Sayers said.

“It would be different if this were his first offense,” Sayers said.

Named a first alternate last month, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis earned an eighth trip to the Pro Bowl, replacing the Denver Broncos’ Al Wilson on the AFC squad for the Feb. 10 game.

Taylor Gibbs, the 2-year-old grandson of Washington Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs, is undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with leukemia almost three weeks ago, the coach said.

SOCCER

Reyna returns to U.S.

with MLS’ Red Bulls

After 12 years in Europe, midfielder Claudio Reyna, 33, returns home to play for the New York Red Bulls after signing a multiyear deal.

Forward Taylor Twellman has recovered from a hernia injury and was added to the U.S. team’s training camp for its Feb. 7 exhibition game against Mexico in Glendale, Ariz.

MOTOR RACING

Roush intensifies

criticism of Toyota

With Toyota poised to enter NASCAR’s Nextel Cup series this season, Ford team owner Jack Roush increased his criticism, saying he’s “preparing myself for siege” on the track and in the boardroom. Roush says that Toyota’s entry will hurt NASCAR because the automaker will outspend teams affiliated with domestic automakers.

MISCELLANY

Klitschko will return

after two-year retirement

Former World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, 36, will return to the ring April 21 against current champion Oleg Maskaev in Moscow, more than two years after injuries forced his retirement.

The Ducks prepared for the return of defenseman Francois Beauchemin, taking him off injured reserve and sending Kent Huskins to their minor-league affiliate in Portland, Maine. Beauchemin suffered a lacerated spleen Dec. 26 against San Jose.

The Ducks, who went 2-9 without Beauchemin, resume play Sunday against Dallas.

-- Eric Stephens

Former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch chaired the first meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland of an International Softball Federation panel trying to return softball to the Olympics for the 2016 Games. Softball was cut in 2005 from the 2012 Games.