Calzaghe adds two belts to his collection

Undefeated Joe Calzaghe added Mikkel Kessler’s World Boxing Assn. and World Boxing Council super-middleweight titles to his own World Boxing Organization crown, unanimously outpointing the previously undefeated Dane at Cardiff, Wales, on Saturday.

The 35-year-old Welshman improved to 44-0, closing with three standout rounds at the Millennium Stadium to unify the three titles in front of 35,000 of his fans.

Kessler dropped to 39-1.

After both fighters traded big shots and combinations in all 12 rounds, the three judges gave the decision to Calzaghe. Raul Caiz scored it 117-111, fellow American John Stewart had it 116-112 and Massimo Barrovecchio of Italy scored it 116-112.

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Juan Manuel Marquez successfully defended his WBC super-featherweight title, unanimously outpointing Rocky Juarez at Tucson.

Marquez improved to 48-3-1, and Juarez fell to 27-4.

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Flyweight Rau’shee Warren and welterweight Demetrius Andrade became the first Americans to win gold medals at the World Boxing Championships in eight years with convincing victories at Chicago.

Warren beat Thailand’s Somjit Jongjohor, 13-9, and Andrade’s bout with Thailand’s Non Boonjumnong was stopped in the second round because of an injury.

BASEBALL

Pirates reportedly to hire John Russell

John Russell, let go by the Pirates as their third-base coach only two seasons ago, will succeed Jim Tracy as Pittsburgh’s manager, a source with knowledge of the hiring told the Associated Press.

Russell, who lost his previous job in Pittsburgh following former Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon’s firing in September 2005, will be introduced at a news conference Monday. He managed the Phillies’ triple-A team the last two seasons.

TENNIS

Nadal beats Baghdatis to reach Paris final

Second-seeded Rafael Nadal will play David Nalbandian today in the Paris Masters final, and Richard Gasquet clinched the last spot in the season-ending Masters Cup despite losing his semifinal match.

Nadal beat Marcos Baghdatis, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, and Nalbandian defeated 10th-seeded Gasquet, 6-2, 6-4. But Gasquet already had enough points for the Nov. 11-18 event in Shanghai before stepping onto the court because Baghdatis had lost.

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Lindsay Davenport advanced to the final of the Bell Challenge at Quebec City, defeating second-seeded Vera Zvonareva, 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-3. She will play third-seeded Julia Vakulenko, who beat qualifier Julie Ditty, 6-1, 4-6, 7-5.

GOLF

Verplank, Ames share lead at Lake Buena Vista

Scott Verplank was two shots behind with three holes to play, then surged into a share of the lead at the Children’s Miracle Network by making pars.

Verplank, one of six players who had at least a share of the lead at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., wound up with a 71 and was tied with Stephen Ames going into the final round.

Ames, who had a two-shot lead at one point, bogeyed two of his last three holes with three-putts from 60 and 70 feet. He settled for a 70.

Verplank and Ames were at 13-under 203, with Justin Leonard (70) and Tag Ridings (71) in the five-way tie for third. Two dozen players were separated by four shots going into the final round of the final PGA Tour event of the year.

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Momoko Ueda shot a five-under 67 to move into a tie for the third-round lead with Laura Davies at the Mizuno Classic in Shima, Japan. Ueda had six birdies and one bogey to finish at seven-under 137.

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Richard Johnson birdied the final three holes for a four-under 67 and a one-stroke lead over Tom Scherrer after the third round of the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship at Lakeside, Calif.

Johnson, at No. 6 on the money list and already assured a 2008 PGA Tour card, had a 16-under 197 total on the Barona Creek Golf Club course.

The top 25 on the money list after the tournament will earn PGA Tour cards, with Scherrer (67) fighting to move up from No. 27.

SOCCER

Arsenal stays unbeaten in Premier League

Arsenal stayed unbeaten in the English Premier League, tying Manchester United, 2-2, when William Gallas scored during injury time after giving up an own goal. Gallas’ shot crossed the line before it was pushed out by United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, with the linesman awarding the goal.

United opened the scoring on Gallas’ own goal. Arsenal tied it in the 48th minute on a goal by Cesc Fabregas. Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the 83rd minute to give United a 2-1 lead.

PRO FOOTBALL

Jaguars players Durant, Collier are arrested

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie linebacker Justin Durant and second-year offensive tackle Richard Collier were arrested in separate incidents early Saturday. Jacksonville police arrested Collier for driving under the influence, and Durant was charged with resisting arrest without violence. The Jaguars put Collier on the reserve/suspended list.

SURFING

Rookie Gilmore wins Mancora Peru Classic

Rookie Stephanie Gilmore of Australia won the inaugural Mancora Peru Classic in dramatic fashion to defeat seven-time world champion Layne Beachley of Australia and increase her ASP Women’s World Tour lead. Gilmore needed a ride of at least 7.2 out of 10 to win the event, and scored an 8.1 on her final wave.

-- Pete Thomas